country

Universal Words noun (plural countries) 1 [C] an area of land that has or used to have its own government and laws: European countries * leading industrial countries * She didn't know what life in a foreign country would be like. * It's good to meet people from different parts of the country. 2 [U] (often following an adjective) an area of land, especially with particular physical features, suitable for a particular purpose or connected with a particular person or people: open / wooded country * superb walking country * Explore Thomas Hardy country. 3 (the country) [sing.] the people of a country; the nation as a whole: They have the support of most of the country. * The rich benefited from the reforms, not the country as a whole. seealsoMOTHERCOUNTRY, THEOLDCOUNTRY, UP-COUNTRY 4 (the country) [sing.] any area outside towns and cities, with fields, woods, farms, etc: to live in the country * We spent a pleasant day in the country. * a country lane -< LANDSCAPE 5 [U] = COUNTRY-AND-WESTERN: pop, folk and country IDIOMS across country directly across fields, etc.; not by a main road: riding across country seealsoCROSS-COUNTRY go to the country (BrE) (of a government) to hold an election to choose a new parliament moreatFREEadj. ______________________________ WHICHWORD? country / state Country is the most usual, neutral word for a geographical area that has or used to have its own government. State emphasizes the political organization of an area under an independent government. Especially in BrE, it can also mean the government: the member states of the EU * The state provides free education. In AmE the state usually refers to one of the 50 states of the US, not to the government of the country as a whole. ______________________________