country
Americannoun
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a state or nation.
What European countries have you visited?
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the territory of a nation.
The country is about 150 miles long.
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the people of a district, state, or nation.
The whole country backed the president in his decision.
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the land of one's birth or citizenship.
Do I need to return to my country to apply for a student visa?
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the country, rural districts, including farmland, parkland, and other sparsely populated areas, as opposed to cities or towns.
Many city dwellers like to spend their vacations in the country.
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any considerable territory demarcated by topographical conditions, by a distinctive population, etc..
The mountainous country around here is beautiful.
The book takes place in the Amish country of Pennsylvania.
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land considered apart from any geographical or political limits.
This urban population is packed into a relatively small patch of country.
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Law. the public at large, as represented by a jury.
adjective
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of, from, or characteristic of the country; rural.
They lived on a winding country road.
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of, relating to, or associated with country music.
That Nashville station plays country records all day long.
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rude; unpolished; rustic.
He was scorned for his country manners.
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of, from, or relating to a particular nation or area; national.
Each team will display their country flag during the opening ceremony.
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Obsolete. of one's own country.
idioms
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go to the country, to dissolve a Parliament and call for an election after members have cast a majority vote expressing a lack of confidence in the prime minister and cabinet. Also appeal to the country.
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put oneself upon the / one's country, to present one's cause formally before a jury.
noun
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a territory distinguished by its people, culture, language, geography, etc
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an area of land distinguished by its political autonomy; state
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the people of a territory or state
the whole country rebelled
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an area associated with a particular person
Burns country
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the part of the land that is away from cities or industrial areas; rural districts
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( as modifier )
country cottage
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( in combination )
a countryman
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short for country music
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archaic a particular locality or district
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away from the coast or the capital
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one's native land or nation of citizenship
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informal the outlying area or area furthest from the finish of a sports ground or racecourse
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(modifier) rough; uncouth; rustic
country manners
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not keeping to roads, etc
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to dissolve Parliament and hold an election
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an unfamiliar topic, place, matter, etc
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of country
First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English cuntree from Anglo-French, Old French from unrecorded Vulgar Latin (regiō) contrāta “(area) opposite,” from Latin contr(ā) counter 3 + -āta (feminine of -ātus -ate 1 ); compare German Gegend “region,” derivative of gegen against
Explanation
A country is a nation, a body of land with one government. Also, rural areas outside cities and towns are called the country. There are many countries in the world: places that have a central government and a common identity. America was once just a bunch of colonies of England. It wasn't until they fought for independence from England that America became a country. Also, "the country" is any place that's away from cities and rural: the country has farms and open spaces. Country life is quieter than city life — except for the early morning roosters.
Vocabulary lists containing country
Crossing Between Cultures, Part 1
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The Age of Jackson and Westward Expansion, Lessons 3–5
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store surged 31% after the restaurant chain reported a surprise profit for its fiscal third quarter and raised its fiscal-year outlook.
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
Muhammed Secka's body was found the day after emergency services were called to Rother Valley Country Park, in South Yorkshire, on Bank Holiday Monday.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
Country music superstar Carrie Underwood sang at the ceremony after rapper Snoop Dogg performed at a ball days before it.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
They purchased an acre of land in Ballen Isles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, with both water and golf course views.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026
As summer came to the North Country, group vis- its to the pond had become a daily event, until the day Peter announced, “This morning, just Cole and I should go.”
From "Touching Spirit Bear" by Ben Mikaelsen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
