County Definition: Meaning, Examples, and Usage

Meaning 1：administrative district (county)

county 🔊

/ˈkaʊnti/

An area within a country or state that has its own local government, smaller than a state.

administrative district 🔊

➕

/ədˈmɪnɪstreɪtɪv ˈdɪstrɪkt/

A county is a geographical and administrative division within a country or state, typically with its own local government and smaller than a state.

📁 Category：Countries & Government 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old French 'conte', from Latin 'comitatus' (territory under a count).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'count' + 'y' – a count's territory. The sheriff counts the people in his county.

📖 Example

The local county government announced new plans to improve recycling facilities for all residents. 🔊 The local county government announced new plans to improve recycling facilities for all residents.

🔗 Collocations

county council – The elected governing body of a county

county seat – The administrative center or capital of a county

county line – The border between two counties

🔄 Synonyms

shire (n.) – A historical term for a county, especially in England

province (n.) – A principal administrative division of a country, larger than a county in some contexts

district (n.) – An area of a country or city, especially one regarded as a distinct administrative unit

🚫 Antonyms

state (n.) – A larger territorial division that contains multiple counties

nation (n.) – A sovereign country, of which a county is a subdivision

🌱 Derivatives

countywide (adj.) – Extending throughout a county

intercounty (adj.) – Relating to or involving two or more counties

county-level (adj.) – At the level of a county

📖 Cultural Story

In medieval England, counties (shires) were administrative divisions overseen by a sheriff (shire-reeve). The term 'county' later replaced 'shire' in some areas but remains a key unit of local government.