Americanism
|a-mer-i-can-ism|
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/əˈmɛrɪkənɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/əˈmɛrɪk(ə)nɪz(ə)m/
Characteristic of America
Etymology
'Americanism' originates from English, formed from the adjective 'American' (from 'America', named after the explorer Amerigo Vespucci) plus the suffix '-ism' (from Greek '-ismos' via Latin '-ismus'), where 'America' referred to the continents named for Amerigo and '-ism' meant a practice, system, or characteristic.
'America' ultimately comes from the Italian/Latinized form of the explorer Amerigo Vespucci's name (Italian 'Amerigo', Latinized 'Americus'); early 16th-century mapmakers used 'America' for the new continents. The adjective 'American' developed to mean 'of or relating to America', and adding the suffix '-ism' produced 'Americanism' in English, which gained senses in the 19th century relating to language, culture, politics, and religion.
Initially the components designated the land of Amerigo and a suffix denoting a system or characteristic; the compound originally signified 'something characteristic of America' and over time broadened to include specific linguistic usages, cultural traits, political loyalties, and a named religious controversy.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a word, phrase, or usage that is characteristic of American English (as opposed to other varieties such as British English).
The spelling "color" is often cited as an Americanism compared with British "colour."
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Noun 2
a custom, practice, or attitude regarded as typical of Americans or the United States.
A focus on entrepreneurship is often described as an Americanism.
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Noun 3
allegiance to, or belief in, the political principles or national identity of the United States (used in discussions of patriotism or nationalism).
In the early 20th century, politicians appealed to Americanism to foster national unity.
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Noun 4
a set of doctrines or tendencies among some American Catholics emphasizing adaptation to modern society — a controversy (called 'Americanism') that was criticized by the Catholic hierarchy around the turn of the 20th century.
The movement labeled 'Americanism' drew papal criticism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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Last updated: 2025/08/24 04:29