country

1 of 2

noun

coun·​try ˈkən-trē 

plural countries

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

left their country for America

b

: a political state or nation or its territory

the country of Italy

3

a

: the people of a state or district : populace

Most of the country voted to end the death penalty.

b

: jury

c

: electorate sense 2

The government will go to the country with this issue.

4

: rural as distinguished from urban areas

prefers the country to the city

5

: country music

6

geology : country rock sense 2

countryish

ˈkən-trē-ish 

adjective

country

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the country

country living

2

a

: of or relating to a decorative style associated with life in the country

an English country look

also : possessing a style of rustic simplicity

country furniture

b

: prepared or processed with farm supplies and procedures

country ham

3

: of, relating to, suitable for, or featuring country music

country singers

Did you know?

The English word country is derived from Latin contra, which means “against” or “on the opposite side.” In Medieval Latin the noun contrata was formed from contra. Contrata was literally “that which is situated opposite the beholder.” But that which is opposite the beholder is just what he or she sees. So contrata meant “landscape.” It also came to mean “expanse of land, region.” This was the original meaning of English country, which over the years has itself developed a number of new meanings.

Synonyms

Noun

• fatherland
• home
• homeland
• mother country
• motherland
• sod

Adjective

• bucolic
• pastoral
• rural
• rustic
• rustical

Examples of country in a Sentence

Noun

The two countries have a lot in common.

They drove across the country from California to New York.

They are living in different parts of the country.

The whole country was stunned by the news.

The President has the support of most of the country.

He moved to the north country to fish and hunt.

We went camping in the hill country.

They drove through miles of open country.

She lives out in the country.

They prefer the country to the city.

Adjective

plain country living among unpretentious people

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Reporters Without Borders describes India as one of the most dangerous countries for journalists. —Ashoka Mody, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2024

During the past decade, Republican and Democratic administrations alike pitched U.S.-made guns as a retail product in some of the most violence-prone countries in the world. —David Kocieniewski / Bloomberg, TIME, 26 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

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

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing country

• across country
• alt-country
• alternative country
• country and western
• country club
• country-dance
• country gentleman
• country house
• country mile
• country music
• country of origin
• country rock
• country seat
• cross-country
• go to the country
• inter-country
• low country
• mother country
• old country
• open country
• safe third country agreement
• the country
• the old country
• up-country

Kids Definition

country

1 of 2 noun

coun·​try ˈkən-trē 

plural countries

1

: an indefinite usually large stretch of land : region

hill country

2

a

: the land of a person's birth, residence, or citizenship

b

: a nation or its territory

3

: the people of a state or district : populace

4

: the open rural area outside of big towns and cities

lives out in the country

country

2 of 2 adjective

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the country : rural, rustic