country

noun coun·try \ ˈkən-trē \

|Updated on: 11 Aug 2018

Examples: country in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of country

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 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 2

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countryish

play \ˈkən-trē-ish\ adjective

See country defined for English-language learners

See country defined for kids

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 of country from the Web

On June 28, a group of volunteers bonded Gonzalez Garcia out of detention in Arizona, beginning a cross-country road trip that got her to New York, where her children had been placed in foster care.

— pamela ren larson, azcentral, "Guatemalan mother regains custody of her children after 54 days apart," 13 July 2018
Trump will meet with May at the prime minister's country retreat at Chequers – 47 miles outside London — followed by a joint press conference with the two leaders.

— john fritze, USA TODAY, "Trump's bombshell interview with UK tabloid threatens to overshadow visit to Britain," 13 July 2018
Reuters reported in 2009, adding that its chief is chosen by the country’s president.

— madeline farber, Fox News, "What's the GRU, Russia's military intelligence agency? 3 things to know," 13 July 2018
During a news conference at Chequers, the prime minister’s 16th-century official country residence, Mr. Trump was by turns defiant, fawning and dismissive of the interview.

— New York Times, "Trump Brings His Own Style to a Day of Damage Control in Britain," 13 July 2018
Purple Heart truck stops at veterans center The Military Order of the Purple Heart Truck will be on display as part of a cross country tour from noon to about 3 p.m. on Friday at the Veterans Association of North County, 1617 Mission Ave.

— linda mcintosh, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Blue Star families honored," 13 July 2018
Collins' Schaefer wins MVP The TGCA also hosted softball, volleyball, cross country/track and cheerleading 5A-6A and 1A-4A all-star competitions at Arlington Lamar and Arlington ISD's Workman Softball Complex.

— jason mcdaniel, Houston Chronicle, "High school notebook: Hastings PG Tatiyanna Riley competes in all-star game," 13 July 2018
The cross-country trek is the next phase of the movement borne of the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School.

— tonya alanez, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Parkland tour event in Utah canceled amid security concerns," 13 July 2018
This is the second smallest country population-wise ever to get to a World Cup final after Uruguay.

— grant wahl and brian straus, SI.com, "World Cup Daily Podcast: How Finalists France, Croatia Mirror Their 1998 Teams," 12 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'country.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.

Origin and Etymology of country

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2a

See Words from the same year

country Synonyms

Synonyms

commonwealth, land, nation, sovereignty (also sovranty), state;

Related Words

city-state, ministate, nation-state;

domain, dominion, empire, kingdom, realm, republic;

democracy, dictatorship, monarchy, monocracy, oligarchy, sovereign (also sovran), theocracy;

fatherland, homeland, motherland;

great power, power, sea power, superpower, world power;

Other Government and Politics Terms

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

country

adjective

Definition of country

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

See country defined for English-language learners

Examples of country in a Sentence

plain country living among unpretentious people

Origin and Etymology of country

see ¹country

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

country Synonyms

Other Ecology Terms

Malthusian, anthropogenic, biomass, carbon footprint, crepuscular, niche, sere, symbiosis, taiga, tundra

COUNTRY Defined for English Language Learners

country

noun

Definition of country for English Language Learners

: an area of land that is controlled by its own government
the country : the people who live in a country
: an area or region that has a particular quality or feature or is known for a particular activity.