Some people refer to the United States of America or its government as Uncle Sam.
[mainly US, journalism]
They are ready to defend themselves against Uncle Sam's imperialist policies.
There is not one cent of new revenue for Uncle Sam in the deal.
Uncle Sam in British English
noun
a personification of the government of the United States
Word origin
C19: apparently a humorous interpretation of the letters stamped on army supply boxesduring the War of 1812: US
Uncle Sam in American English
US
Informal
the U.S. (government or people), personified as a tall, spare man with chin whiskers, dressed in a red, white, and blue costume of swallow-tailed coat, striped trousers, and tall hat with a band of stars
Word origin
extended < abbrev. U.S.
Examples of 'Uncle Sam' in a sentence
Uncle Sam
A group of gesticulating skeletons was followed by Uncle Sam on stilts, sixteen feet high.
Brandon, Ruth LEFT, RIGHT AND CENTRE (2003)
Yet at the first hint of trouble there you are waving your passports and shouting for `good ol ' Uncle Sam ".
Dobbs, Michael THE TOUCH OF INNOCENTS (2003)
It was one of those aerial gunships the Soviets field-tested in Afghanistan and now supply to anyone who thumbs his nose at Uncle Sam.
Brierley, David SKORPION'S DEATH (2003)
They will hear the thunder of Uncle Sam, bellowing, GET OUT OR ELSE.