country

¹coun·try

noun \ˈkən-trē\

plural countries

Definition of COUNTRY

1

: an indefinite usually extended expanse of land : region <miles of open country>

2

a : the land of a person's birth, residence, or citizenship b : a political state or nation or its territory

3

a : the people of a state or district : populace b : jury c : electorate 2

4

: rural as distinguished from urban areas <prefers the country to the city>

5

: country music

— coun·try·ish \-trē-ish\ adjective

Examples of COUNTRY

1. The two countries have a lot in common.
2. They drove across the country from California to New York.
3. They are living in different parts of the country.
4. The whole country was stunned by the news.
5. The President has the support of most of the country.
6. He moved to the north country to fish and hunt.
7. We went camping in the hill country.
8. They drove through miles of open country.
9. She lives out in the country.
10. They prefer the country to the city.

Origin of COUNTRY

Middle English contree, from Anglo-French cuntree, contré, from Medieval Latin contrata, from Latin contra against, on the opposite side

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to COUNTRY

Synonyms: fatherland, home, homeland, mother country, motherland, sod

Related Words: old country; community, neighborhood

Near Antonyms: conurbation, megalopolis, urban sprawl

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism