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a state or nation:
What European countries have you visited?
the territory of a nation.
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.
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.:
mountainous country; the Amish country of Pennsylvania.
a tract of land considered apart from any geographical or political limits; region; district.
the public.
Law. the public at large, as represented by a jury.
.
of, from, or characteristic of the country; rural:
a winding country road.
of, relating to, or associated with :
That Nashville station plays country records all day long.
rude; unpolished; rustic:
country manners.
of, from, or pertaining to a particular country.
Obsolete. of one’s own country.
go to the country, British. to dissolve a Parliament that has cast a majority vote disagreeing with the prime minister and cabinet and to call for the election of a new House of Commons.
Also, appeal to the country.
put oneself upon the / one’s country, Law. to present one’s cause formally before a jury.
Contemporary Examples

Demanding that Johnson come up with a strategy to repeal Obamacare or else destroy the economy and the country is absurd.
Mark Levin-Ron Johnson Fight Explains the Shutdown Perfectly Pete Dominick October 17, 2013

Some were factual, such as her comments about being proud of her country for the first time.
Inside the Obama Family PR Machine Richard Wolffe April 18, 2009

It will be an official military funeral for a man who helped lead their country through war and towards peace.
Saying Goodbye To Lipkin-Shahak Mira Sucharov December 18, 2012

In West Virginia, one of the first female coal miners in the country sued the owner of the mine to get him to stop stalking her.
Women Who Paved the Way Betsy West February 25, 2013

Additionally impressive is that an Australian can write so convincingly in the idiom of a country so different from her own.
This Week’s Hot Reads: September 9, 2013 Nicholas Mancusi September 8, 2013

Historical Examples

With a little industry and perseverance wonders might be done in this country.
The Field of Ice Jules Verne

But if it is His own country, it don’t make Him any connysoor of countries with me.
The Spenders Harry Leon Wilson

They were now descending a little hill at the foot of which stood a country tavern.
Paul Prescott’s Charge Horatio Alger

He might in this country; he’d never do it at home, you know.
The Spenders Harry Leon Wilson

“You can get about the country pretty quickly in that car,” I said.
The Red Hand of Ulster George A. Birmingham

noun (pl) -tries
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

related adjective pastoral rural
short for country music
(archaic) a particular locality or district
up country, away from the coast or the capital
one’s native land or nation of citizenship
(Brit, informal) the country, the outlying area or area furthest from the finish of a sports ground or racecourse
(modifier) rough; uncouth; rustic: country manners
across country, not keeping to roads, etc
(mainly Brit) go to the country, appeal to the country, to dissolve Parliament and hold an election
unknown country, an unfamiliar topic, place, matter, etc
n.

mid-13c., “district, native land,” from Old French contree, from Vulgar Latin *(terra) contrata “(land) lying opposite,” or “(land) spread before one,” from Latin contra “opposite, against” (see contra-). Sense narrowed 1520s to rural areas, as opposed to cities. Replaced Old English land. As an adjective from late 14c. First record of country-and-western music style is from 1942. Country club first recorded 1886. Country mile “a long way” is from 1915, American English.

adjective

Quite competent; reliable: He’s a prettygood country ball player; gets his pitches over the plate •The phrase is meant as moderate yet distinct praise of a person who might not be as spectacular as a big-city performer

Related Terms

another country heard from