count
verb (used with object)
to check over (the separate units or groups of a collection) one by one to determine the total number; add up; enumerate.
was counting
-
past progressiveof count.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
The medical bills have eaten into the savings he was counting on for retirement.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 7, 2026
Sherin said the group raised about $5 million in pledges and was counting on historical tax credits to fill the gap but still came up several million dollars short.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 3, 2026
She now runs the village shop in Pirnmill and was counting on getting her civil service pension to clear debts and ensure the future of the shop.
From BBC ● Feb. 12, 2026
It said at a presentation in October that it was counting on its established well-heeled clients, ready to spend more than 50,000 euros a year on clothes, to accelerate growth.
From Barron's ● Nov. 24, 2025
Finn was counting the money by the fire when a man sauntered into our campsite.
From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool
