county
KOWN-tee
County (noun) means an administrative or geographic division within a country or state. Example: “Each county in the region has its own council and local services.”
noun
1
An administrative or geographic division within a country or state.
"Each county in the region has its own council and local services."
"The two towns are located in the same county."
"She grew up in a small county in the north of England."
How to use county
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA region within a country or state used for local government and administration.
Common pairings
county council
county fair
county seat
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Word forms
- Plural
- counties
- Comparative
- more county
- Superlative
- most county
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Each _____ in the region has its own council and local services.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman counté, from Latin comitātus ("jurisdiction of a count").
Related words
Rhymes for county
See all rhymes for county →Frequently asked questions
What does “county” mean?
The word “county” means an administrative or geographic division within a country or state. In plain terms, a region within a country or state used for local government and administration.
How do you pronounce “county”?
“County” is pronounced KOWN-tee (/ˈkaʊn(t)i/ in IPA).
How do you use “county” in a sentence?
Here is “county” used in a sentence: “The two towns are located in the same county.”
What is another word for “county”?
Words with a similar meaning to “county” include xian.
What part of speech is “county”?
“County” is a noun.
Where does the word “county” come from?
The word “county” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman counté, from Latin comitātus ("jurisdiction of a count").
Is “county” a common word?
“County” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between a county and a country?
A country is an independent nation with its own government, like France or Japan. A county is a much smaller administrative division inside a country or state, such as Kent in England or Orange County in the US. The words differ by one letter but describe vastly different scales.
What is the difference between a county and a state?
A state is a large political region within a country, while a county is a smaller unit inside a state. In the US, for example, each state is subdivided into counties that handle local matters like courts, roads, and records. Counties sit below states in the hierarchy.
What is an example of a county?
In England, Yorkshire, Kent, and Cornwall are well-known counties. In the United States, Los Angeles County and Cook County are among the largest by population. Each is a defined geographic area with its own local government responsible for services within its boundaries.
How is a county governed?
Counties are usually run by a local body such as a county council, board, or commission, made up of elected representatives. They often oversee services like roads, schools, policing, and public records within their area. The exact powers vary widely between countries and even between regions.
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