United States

[yoo-nahy-tid steyts]

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. Official Name United States of America. a federal republic in the northern Western Hemisphere comprising 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia, Alaska in North America, and Hawaii in the North Pacific, and in some contexts considered along with its five inhabited island territories (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, North Mariana Islands,American Samoa ). Conterminous United States, 3,119,885 square miles (8,080,465 square kilometers); with Alaska and Hawaii, 3,796,742 square miles (9,833,517 square kilometers); all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the island territories, 3,805,927 square miles (9,857,306 square kilometers) Washington, D.C. U.S., US

Other Word Forms

• anti–United States adjective
• pro–United States adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of United States¹

First recorded in 1600–10, in reference to the United Provinces of the Netherlands, and in 1770–80 for the United States of America ( def. )

Example Sentences

Former President Barack Obama, while eulogizing Arizona Sen. John McCain in 2018, referred to the United States as the “indispensable nation.”

From Salon

But they spent big money to bring in United States forward Alyssa Thompson on deadline day to sort that issue.

From BBC

Their mere presence served as powerful reminder that these women — ordinary people who didn’t want any of this — are taking on the president of the United States.

From Salon

“This is the first time I’ve seen or read anything where the president of the United States has taken a position that this is a Soldiers’ Home.”

From Los Angeles Times

The United States Postal Inspection Service is overseeing the collection and disposal of contaminated mail and packages.

From Los Angeles Times