2. N, S, and Central America: a landmass comprising North America, South America, and Central America
3. N. America: North America
(
informal
)
[Early 16th century. <Americus, Latinized form of Amerigo Vespucci (1454-1512), Italian navigator]
Word Usage
The use of America to mean the United States may cause offense to people from Canada and Central and South America, and should be avoided. The term North America may be used to refer to the United States and Canada together.
