First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1county
noun coun·ty \ˈkau̇n-tē\
plural counties
Definition of COUNTY
1
: the domain of a count
2
a : one of the territorial divisions of England and Wales and formerly also of Scotland and Northern Ireland constituting the chief units for administrative, judicial, and political purposes b (1) : the people of a county (2) British : the gentry of a county
3
: the largest territorial division for local government within a state of the United States
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of COUNTY
Middle English counte, from Anglo-French cunté, counté, from Medieval Latin comitatus, from Late Latin, office of a count, from comit-, comes count — more at count
2county
noun
plural counties
Definition of COUNTY
archaic : 3count
Origin of COUNTY
modification of Middle French comte
First Known Use: 1550
COUNTIES Defined for Kids
county
noun coun·ty \ˈkau̇n-tē\
plural coun·ties
Definition of COUNTY for Kids
: a division of a state or country for local government
Learn More About COUNTY
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: county agentPrevious Word in the Dictionary: count wheelAll Words Near: county
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up county? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).