country

noun coun·try \ ˈkən-trē \

Updated on: 19 May 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

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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

The wins in state legislative races are seen -- in part because the candidates are typically little-known -- as gauges of voters' enthusiasm in small slices of the country.

— eric bradner, CNN, "Democrats flip 41st state legislative seat of Trump era in Pennsylvania," 16 May 2018
More than 45 percent of the country’s refining capacity is along the U. Gulf Coast, and nearly a fifth of the nation’s crude oil is produced offshore in the region.

— kaila contreras, Houston Chronicle, "Kings Harbor stores begin to bounce back after Harvey," 16 May 2018
Big 12 teams this season won four of the country’s six regionals.

— gary bedore, kansascity, "KU men's golf team wins Pacific Regional, advances to NCAA Championships | The Kansas City Star," 16 May 2018
Chilongo said that according to a survey by his association last year, the temperature of groundwater is rising, while the water level is falling in most parts of the country.

— danstan kaunda, The Christian Science Monitor, "Facing prolonged droughts, Zambia regulates groundwater use," 16 May 2018
Jordan's campaign captured a coalition of Democrats and other progressives unhappy with the direction of the country and looking for someone with a new point of view.

— rocky barker, maria la ganga and cynthia sewell, idahostatesman, "These Idaho primaries were quite different, but each victor spoke Tuesday of hope | Idaho Statesman," 16 May 2018
Stone Circle may have launched an unexpected solar-energy movement in a part of the country best known for crude oil, but the project’s roots lie in its creator's fascination with far more ancient technologies.

— michael agresta, WIRED, "Marfa, Texas Is Getting Its Own Solar-Powered Stonehenge," 16 May 2018
Although the path of totality will only be visible along a narrow portion of the country, most people outside of the band will see a near-total or partial eclipse.

— courier-journal.com, "How much of the eclipse will you see where you live?," 15 May 2018
Mario Gotze scored the winning goal against Argentina in the final four years ago in Brazil as Low guided Germany to their first World Cup since 1990, and their first since the reunification of the country.

— SI.com, "World Cup Winning Germany Manager Joachim Low Extends Die Mannschaft Contract Until 2022," 15 May 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.