Americana

[ uh-mer-i-kan-uh, -kah-nuh, -key-nuh ]

noun

1. (often used with a plural verb) books, papers, maps, etc., relating to America, especially to its history, culture, and geography.
2. (used with a singular verb) a collection of such materials.

Americana

/ əˌmɛrɪˈkɑːnə /

plural noun

1. objects, such as books, documents, relics, etc, relating to America, esp in the form of a collection
2. all forms of traditional music indigenous to America, and their modern variants

Word History and Origins

Origin of Americana¹

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; Americ(a) + -ana

Example Sentences

I recently caught up with photographer Christopher Bryson, who is contemplating a road trip west from New Orleans to capture the rawness of Americana.

From The Daily Beast

Even the Independence Day parade shifted this summer from a once-revered slice of Americana to another battle in a culture war.

From Washington Post

This unusual but enduring piece of Americana remains a unique resume point for a handful of athletes, even rarer than an Olympic medal.

From FiveThirtyEight

The theme park, which celebrates its 36th season this year, is a slice of Americana, with rides, musical performances galore, a museum filled with Dolly Parton memorabilia and even an eagle sanctuary.

From Washington Post

Prominent Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who wrote Americana, defended Rowling’s stance.

From Ozy

His friend has dropped hat and cane in shock but the drawing shows stuff that an Americana collector nowadays would kill for.

From The Daily Beast

Some 7,000 Confederates set sail for Brazil in the aftermath of the American Civil War, settling in a city called Americana.

From The Daily Beast

And yet that just contributed to the local lore of the state as a repository for rugged Americana.

From The Daily Beast

Where does a Latin America-born boy with a Cuban father living in Miami learn to get in touch with Americana folk roots?

From The Daily Beast

These were the historic building blocks of a failed Pax Americana.

From The Daily Beast

Those of Uncinaria duodenalis measure about 30 by 50 ; of Uncinaria Americana, somewhat more.

From Project Gutenberg

"I've been a collector of Americana," Bassett remarked, throwing open several cases.

From Project Gutenberg

They had been given those Americana roots, not primarily to dwarf them, but to insure them against damage from the cold winters.

From Project Gutenberg

Myriophyllum heterophyllum, Potamogeton foliosus, and Justicia americana common.

From Project Gutenberg

In Harpalus Latr., and Silpha americana, the four anterior ones are similarly formed in this respect.

From Project Gutenberg