country
Americannoun
-
countries
plural
-
a state or nation.
What European countries have you visited?
-
the territory of a nation.
The country is about 150 miles long.
-
the people of a district, state, or nation.
The whole country backed the president in his decision.
-
the land of one's birth or citizenship.
Do I need to return to my country to apply for a student visa?
-
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.
-
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.
-
land considered apart from any geographical or political limits.
This urban population is packed into a relatively small patch of country.
-
Law. the public at large, as represented by a jury.
adjective
-
of, from, or characteristic of the country; rural.
They lived on a winding country road.
-
of, relating to, or associated with country music.
That Nashville station plays country records all day long.
-
rude; unpolished; rustic.
He was scorned for his country manners.
-
of, from, or relating to a particular nation or area; national.
Each team will display their country flag during the opening ceremony.
-
Obsolete. of one's own country.
idioms
-
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.
-
put oneself upon the / one's country, to present one's cause formally before a jury.
noun
-
a territory distinguished by its people, culture, language, geography, etc
-
an area of land distinguished by its political autonomy; state
-
the people of a territory or state
the whole country rebelled
-
an area associated with a particular person
Burns country
-
-
the part of the land that is away from cities or industrial areas; rural districts
-
( as modifier )
country cottage
-
( in combination )
a countryman
-
-
short for country music
-
archaic a particular locality or district
-
away from the coast or the capital
-
one's native land or nation of citizenship
-
informal the outlying area or area furthest from the finish of a sports ground or racecourse
-
(modifier) rough; uncouth; rustic
country manners
-
not keeping to roads, etc
-
to dissolve Parliament and hold an election
-
an unfamiliar topic, place, matter, etc
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Age of Jackson and Westward Expansion, Lessons 3–5
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
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.
See Examples For:
Ethiopia has faced years of armed conflict in Oromia and Amhara, the most populous states in the country.
From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026
MIAMI—At a sprawling waterfront mansion facing Biscayne Bay, a group of wealthy Cuban-Americans has spent months hatching detailed plans for a country that doesn’t yet exist.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026
Many have linked her arrest to the protests that have been organised across the country on 27 September, when demonstrators plan to march to the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.
From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026
Firefighters have been battling blazes for weeks in Borneo and Sumatra that have blanketed parts of the country, as well as neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore, in toxic haze.
From Barron's
Capron’s publication ended with a two-page list of witnesses: doctors, judges, ministers, editors, lawyers, and prominent families throughout the country.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
Italy doesn’t yet meet the rating criteria for a bulk of their portfolio, and countries like the Netherlands or Finland don’t have large enough issuance sizes, he says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026
Non-NATO countries won’t be able to have a base on the island.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 2026
Andy Burnham has hailed a deal between Denmark and the US to "strengthen security in the Arctic" after the two countries resolved a months-long feud over Greenland.
From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026
The investigation by Forbidden Stories found the administration has earmarked $410 million to be paid directly to the receiving countries, or to UN agencies to facilitate the returns.
From Barron's
She says he’s never traveled to half the countries he says he’s been to.
From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy
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.
