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

The three-day event draws more than 100,000 fans every year for the festival, which headlines largely country music acts while raising money for marine conservation. —Joan Murray, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026

The Big Brunch, in a relaxed setting with gospel and country music on two stages, will close things out on April 12. —Travis Pinson, Dallas Morning News, 10 Apr. 2026

This year’s event was headlined by country music superstar Kacey Musgraves, and the charity overall has donated $4 million to the North Texas community. —Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026

Nashville offers far more than country music — though there’s plenty of that, too. —Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 9 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