Uncle Sam

noun

Un·​cle Sam ˌəŋ-kəl-ˈsam How to pronounce Uncle Sam (audio)
1
: the U.S. government
2
: the American nation or people

Examples of Uncle Sam in a Sentence

Uncle Sam wants you to join the Army!
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Chevrolet has given consumers the opportunity to purchase a competent, long-range EV with no frills at an unbeatable price, with cash-on-the-hood from Uncle Sam sweetening the pot ever further. Peter Douglas, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024 The cashier, though, is only entitled to the standard deduction and will owe Uncle Sam $2,096. Bob Woods, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024 Right now, Uncle Sam spends $3 billion every single day just to service its $35 trillion mountain of debt, and interest payments are expected to become the fastest-growing component of the federal budget over the next 30 years. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024 Make no mistake: the girls were getting a little help from Uncle Sam. Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for Uncle Sam 

Word History

Etymology

expansion of U.S., abbreviation of United States

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Uncle Sam was in 1810

Dictionary Entries Near Uncle Sam

Cite this Entry

“Uncle Sam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Uncle%20Sam. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

Uncle Sam

noun
Un·​cle Sam ˌəŋ-kəl-ˈsam How to pronounce Uncle Sam (audio)
1
: the U.S. government thought of or represented as a person
2
: the American nation or people

More from Merriam-Webster on Uncle Sam

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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