country

noun coun·try \ ˈkən-trē \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

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

—

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

Most African countries do not emit much carbon dioxide.

— The Economist, "Africa’s big carbon emitters admit they have a problem," 21 Apr. 2018
There are several hundred miles and two countries separating Israel and Iran, whose leaders openly seek to dismantle the Jewish state.

— yaroslav trofimov, WSJ, "Iran’s Moves in Syria Raise Risk of Conflict With Israel," 19 Apr. 2018
Everybody else is from different states or countries.

— grant segall, cleveland.com, "Rachel Kingsbury of The Grocery helps locals eat well and feel well: My Cleveland (photos)," 19 Apr. 2018
In the early Cretaceous era, northeastern China was mostly forest and lake country, with a temperate climate.

— stefen chow, Smithsonian, "The Great Chinese Dinosaur Boom," 19 Apr. 2018
Breakout, throwback country trio Midland, rising rapper Aminé and pop-punk band All-American Rejects have all been added to the Summerfest 2018 lineup.

— piet levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Summerfest's Uline Warehouse headliners include Midland, Aminé and 16 more acts," 19 Apr. 2018
In a cross-country trip to the remote tribal community, Tony Dearman and top Bureau of Indian Education officials met with the tiny Havasupai Tribe’s council and school board.

— alden woods, azcentral, "Native education director meets with Havasupai officials over failing Grand Canyon school," 19 Apr. 2018
Subscribe to Bloomberg Benchmark on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to Bloomberg Benchmark on Pocket Casts For years, oil was the major determinant of which countries rose to -- and lost -- power in the global economy.

— scott lanman, Bloomberg.com, "How Water Will Determine the Global Economy's Winners and Losers," 19 Apr. 2018
According to the United Nations, more than one million children have left South Sudan to neighboring countries due to escalating conflicts.

— bukola adebayo, CNN, "More than 200 child soldiers freed in South Sudan," 18 Apr. 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.