United States

In both captions and text, typically spell out on first use; after that U.S. is acceptable. United States is preferred to America as noun. U.S. is preferred adjective (and preferred to American), even on first use:

chief U.S. export.

Possessive form is United States'. Use contiguous or conterminous for the 48 states. The continental United States comprises the 48 plus Alaska. In Alaskan context, lower forty-eight may be used.

For the proper appellation for a citizen of a particular state, consult the "Geographical Names'' section of Webster's, with exceptions entered in this manual.

Abbreviations:

See also federal, government, nation, and state.