Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

keep count

idiom

Definition of keep count

: to remember or keep a record of a number or total
  • He's had so many different girlfriends lately that I no longer can keep count.
—often + of
  • She is keeping count of the hours she spends watching TV.

Word by Word Definitions

keep play

  1. : to retain in one's possession or power

  2. : to refrain from granting, giving, or allowing

  3. : to have in control

  1. : the means or provisions by which one is kept

  2. : one that keeps or protects: such as

  3. : fortress, castle

See the full definition of keep
count play

  1. : to indicate or name by units or groups so as to find the total number of units involved : number

  2. : to name the numbers in order up to and including

  3. : to include in a tallying and reckoning

  1. : the action or process of counting

  2. : a total obtained by counting : tally

  3. : reckoning, account

  1. : a European nobleman whose rank corresponds to that of a British earl

See the full definition of count

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up keep count? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games