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

First-timers to Music City shouldn’t miss a downtown stop at Robert’s Western World for a cold PBR, baloney sandwich, MoonPie chaser, and some of the best live country music in town. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

Ella Langley is dominating country music Ella Langley is on top of the world. —Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026

The top prize at the ACMs (and the rival CMA Awards), Entertainer of the Year is typically regarded as recognizing the year’s best ambassador for country music. —Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026

The weekend’s free events in Southlake Town Square include children activities, food vendors and live music with a headlining country music concert Saturday evening. —Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1926, 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