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
6
geology
: country rock sense 2
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.
Examples of country in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Trump has effectively imposed a fuel blockade on the island by threatening tariffs on countries supplying it with fuel, igniting seemingly endless power outages and delivering new blows to the island's already ailing economy.
—
Phil Stewart, USA Today, 30 May 2026
The journey to this point began almost a century ago and hundreds of miles away in China, when Mao Zedong reshaped Marxist–Leninist theory to fit the pre-industrial conditions of his country.
—Dhruv Tikekar, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
He had been outkicked many times in cross country.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
Neighboring countries have increased border surveillance, and international agencies have supported travel screening, emergency funding, supply chains, and diagnostic capacity.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for country
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Phil Stewart, USA Today, 30 May 2026
The journey to this point began almost a century ago and hundreds of miles away in China, when Mao Zedong reshaped Marxist–Leninist theory to fit the pre-industrial conditions of his country.
—Dhruv Tikekar, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
He had been outkicked many times in cross country.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
Neighboring countries have increased border surveillance, and international agencies have supported travel screening, emergency funding, supply chains, and diagnostic capacity.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for country
Cite this Entry
“Country.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/country. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
country
1 of 2 noun
coun·try
ˈkən-trē 
plural countries
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