Is an Americano just black coffee?

An Americano is a regular coffee with an espresso shot (also called an "express") and hot water added to it and then topped up with water, usually three-quarters of a cup of water for every four shots of espresso. Subsequently the Americano is diluted by about 1:3 in strength, resulting in a lower caffeine content than would be found in either black coffee or straight espresso (though not as low as iced coffee). The name comes from the fact that this drink was originally made using espresso roast beans rather than stronger dark Italian roast styles preferred elsewhere today.