'United States' definitions:

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 [syn: United States, United States of America, America, the States, US, U.S., USA, U.S.A.]

The executive and legislative and judicial branches of the federal government of the United States [syn: United States government, United States, U.S. government, US Government, U.S.]