/euh mer"i keuh niz'euhm/ , n.
1. a custom, trait, or thing peculiar to the United States of America or its citizens.
2. a word, phrase, or other language feature that is especially characteristic of the English language as spoken or written in the U.S.
3. devotion to or preference for the U.S. and its institutions.
4. anything, as a custom or word, peculiar to America.
[ 1775-85, Amer.; AMERICAN + -ISM ]