plural counters
1
: a piece of furniture with a flat surface that workers and customers stand on opposite sides of when doing business in a store, restaurant, etc.
He walked up to the counter and ordered his food.
There was a long line at the sales/checkout counter.
I put my money down on the counter.
She recognized the man behind the counter.
2
US
a
: a long, flat surface on which food is prepared in a kitchen
a kitchen counter
I wish my kitchen had more counter space. [=I wish it had more counters or a bigger counter]
called also countertop, ((British)) worktop
b
: a flat surface around a sink in a bathroom
a bathroom counter
called also countertop
3
: a small object that is used in some board games
plural counters
: a person or device that counts something
The counter records how many people visit the Web site.
counters; countered; countering
1
a
: to do something in defense or in response to something
—often + with
She countered with some of the most brilliant chess moves ever seen.
He countered with a punch to the other fighter's head.
b
: to make (something) less effective or ineffective
This pill will counter [=counteract] the side effects of the other one.
2
: to say (something) in response to something that another person has said
When they blamed him for the collapse of the bridge, he countered that his warnings about the bridge had been ignored.
"I could say the same thing about you," she countered.
After she made her point, he could not counter with anything.
plural counters
formal
: something that is made or done as a defense against or response to something else : something that makes something else less effective or ineffective
—usually singular —usually + to
The policy is intended as a counter to efforts to decrease spending on education.
: in a way that goes against or does not agree with something
—+ to
The soldier acted counter to his orders. [=he did something that was against his orders]
His theory ran counter to [=was opposed to; did not agree with] the beliefs of his time.
Such behavior runs counter to the values of society.
ˈkaʊntɚ
1
: in a direction opposite to
counterclockwise
2
: as a reaction against
counteroffensive
Cite this Entry
“Counter.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/counter. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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