1. United States, United States of America, America, the States, US, U.S., USA, U.S.A.
usage: North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
2. United States government, United States, U.S. government, US Government, U.S., federal government
usage: the executive and legislative and judicial branches of the federal government of the United States