county Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government
    • the county has a population of 12,345 people
  2. noun (United States) the largest administrative district within a state
    • the county plans to build a new road

WordNet

Coun"ty noun
Etymology
F. comt, fr. LL. comitatus. See Count.
Wordforms
plural Counties
Definitions
  1. An earldom; the domain of a count or earl. Obs.
  2. A circuit or particular portion of a state or kingdom, separated from the rest of the territory, for certain purposes in the administration of justice and public affairs; -- called also a shire. See Shire.
    Every county, every town, every family, was in agitation. Macaulay.
  3. A count; an earl or lord. Obs. Shak.

Webster 1913