What does "county" mean?

1. (administrative region) a specific area of a country that has its own local government. 2. (historical territory) the land that was ruled by a count or countess in the past. 3. (local jail) a jail run by the local county government. 4. (upper-class style) typical of wealthy families who live in large houses in the countryside.

county

n. · adj.

US //ˈkaʊni// UK //kˈaʊnti// coun·ty

1 administrative region (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a specific area of a country that has its own local government.

a major unit of local government and administration in several countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States.

Example

The local county council is responsible for repairing the roads in this area.

Example

Voters across the county will head to the polls next Tuesday to elect a new sheriff and several board members.
2 historical territory (n.)
C2 Proficiency Archaic Law

the land that was ruled by a count or countess in the past.

the domain or territory historically under the jurisdiction of a count or countess.

Example

In the middle ages, the count ruled over a large county in the south of France.

Example

The historical boundaries of the county were established during the twelfth century when the land was granted to the first count by the king.
- earldom
- fief

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3 local jail (n.)
C1 Advanced American English Slang

a jail run by the local county government.

a correctional facility or jail operated by a county government, typically for short-term detention.

Example

He spent three nights in county after being arrested for a minor traffic violation.

Example

The defendant was held in county pending his bail hearing, as the state prison was reserved for those already convicted of felonies.
- jail
- lockup
4 upper-class style (adj.)
C1 Advanced British English

typical of wealthy families who live in large houses in the countryside.

characteristic of the traditional landed gentry or aristocratic families associated with a particular county.

Example

She wore a very county outfit of tweed and leather boots for the garden party.

Example

The wedding was a very county affair, attended by all the local landowners and prominent families from the surrounding estates.
- aristocratic
- genteel

Origin

From Middle English countee, counte, conte, from Anglo-Norman counté, Old French conté (French comté), from Latin comitātus (“jurisdiction of a count”), from comes (“count, earl”). Cognate with Spanish condado (“county”) and Italian contea (“county”). Doublet of comitatus, borrowed directly from Latin. Mostly displaced native Old English sċīr, whence Modern English shire.