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
Myron Brilliant, Time, 9 July 2025
Tariffs on more than 100 countries with which the United States had a deficit?
—Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 4 Feb. 2025
To some, the look echoed what has been a big night for country music—especially for non-country musicians.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2024
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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Noun
The European Commission and its president, Ursula von der Leyen, are navigating a tightrope–balancing a unified negotiating stance with the political and economic pressures facing individual countries.
—Myron Brilliant, Time, 9 July 2025
Tariffs on more than 100 countries with which the United States had a deficit?
—Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Adjective
Fellow country singer Luke Bryan is also returning as a judge, making Lionel Richie the only non-country artist in a prominent role on the show.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 4 Feb. 2025
To some, the look echoed what has been a big night for country music—especially for non-country musicians.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for country
Cite this Entry
“Country.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/country. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
country
1 of 2 noun
coun·try
ˈkən-trē 
plural countries
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