country music

noun

: music derived from or imitating the folk style of the Southern U.S. or of the Western cowboy

especially : popular vocal music characterized by simple harmonies, accompaniment by stringed instruments (such as guitar, fiddle, banjo, and pedal steel), repeated choruses, and often narrative lyrics

called also country, country and western

Examples of country music in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

He's also been slammed by critics for assigning FBI SWAT agents to protect his girlfriend, country music performer Alexis Wilkins, at taxpayer expense. —Daniel Klaidman, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025

Wrangler inks multi-year deal with country music star Lainey Wilson, reviving the trend for celebrity denim campaigns and collaborations. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 17 Dec. 2025

Bruce Springsteen has always been a vocal fan of Joe Ely, the progressive Texas country legend who mixed country music with rock on albums like Honky Tonk Masquerade, was a member of the cult favorite band the Flatlanders, and even toured with the Clash. —Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 16 Dec. 2025

Amy Allen could be country music's secret weapon in 2026. —Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

country music

noun

: music coming from or imitating the folk style of the Southern U.S. or the Western cowboy