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
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.
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
Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
Presented in Milan earlier this month, CCI assessed 20 fashion companies showing at Milan Fashion Week last month, drawing data from 11 platforms in 50 countries and assigning a score between 0 and 100 according to the three pillars of brand popularity, brand involvement and purchase intent.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
The multi-country co-production is led by Chile’s Catalina Vergara of Globo Rojo Films.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for country
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Even over-the-counter basics, like children’s Tylenol or chewable Pepto-Bismol, can be surprisingly hard to find abroad, especially in countries where pharmacies stock different formulations or ban certain medications altogether.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
Presented in Milan earlier this month, CCI assessed 20 fashion companies showing at Milan Fashion Week last month, drawing data from 11 platforms in 50 countries and assigning a score between 0 and 100 according to the three pillars of brand popularity, brand involvement and purchase intent.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
But when the parents began the planning process, taking a DIY approach to a multi-country trip for four adults and three teenagers (two high-school grads and an 8th-grade graduate) proved daunting.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
The multi-country co-production is led by Chile’s Catalina Vergara of Globo Rojo Films.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for country
Cite this Entry
“Country.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/country. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
country
1 of 2 noun
coun·try
ˈkən-trē 
plural countries
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