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 Words From

• anti–U·nit·ed States adjective
• pro–U·nit·ed 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

It would became one of the first great mysteries in the United States of America, as it was only then 23 years old.

From The Daily Beast

There is a particular focus in the magazine on attacking the United States, which al Qaeda calls a top target.

From The Daily Beast

The United States government might not release that information for years, if ever.

From The Daily Beast

While this deferred action is controversial in the United States, in Mexico, what Obama did is universally popular.

From The Daily Beast

Most coup members “lived in the diaspora in the United States and Germany,” Faal said.

From The Daily Beast

You might do for the United States what your English great-grandfather helped to do for this country in 1832.

From Project Gutenberg

There are nine of these courts, one for each circuit into which the United States is divided.

From Project Gutenberg

A special assistant of the United States marshal was killed, but the object of the riot was not effected.

From Project Gutenberg

A citizen of the United States who resides in a state owes a double allegiance, and can demand protection from each government.

From Project Gutenberg

Asbestos rope and cloth are now largely manufactured and used for this purpose in the United States with very beneficial results.

From Project Gutenberg