# county

/ˈkaʊni/ (US) · /kˈaʊnti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/county
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. administrative region

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- The local county council is responsible for repairing the roads in this area.
- Voters across the county will head to the polls next Tuesday to elect a new sheriff and several board members.

### 2. historical territory

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

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

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

- In the middle ages, the count ruled over a large county in the south of France.
- The historical boundaries of the county were established during the twelfth century when the land was granted to the first count by the king.

### 3. local jail

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Slang

a jail run by the local county government.

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

- He spent three nights in county after being arrested for a minor traffic violation.
- The defendant was held in county pending his bail hearing, as the state prison was reserved for those already convicted of felonies.

### 4. upper-class style

adjective · CEFR C1 · British English

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

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

- She wore a very county outfit of tweed and leather boots for the garden party.
- The wedding was a very county affair, attended by all the local landowners and prominent families from the surrounding estates.

## Examples

- The county built a new library for the local residents.
- Voters in this county will decide on a new property tax to fund the local school system next Tuesday.
- While the national government sets broad policy, the specific implementation of social services often falls to the county, leading to significant regional variations in quality and accessibility.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.