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O·ba·ma (ō-bämə), Barack Hussein, Jr. Born 1961.
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The 44th president of the United States (2009–2017). He previously served in the Senate, representing Illinois (2004-2008). Early in his presidency, he increased government spending to address a severe credit crisis and deep recession. In 2009, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in diplomacy.
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Barack Obama
photographed in 2009

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 
Obama, Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Born 1964.
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First lady of the United States (2009-2017) as the wife of President Barack Obama. She is an attorney and a former hospital administrator. As first lady, she advocated for international education for girls and young women and improved childhood nutrition.
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Michelle Obama
photographed in 2009

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.