Definition of 'count'

Word Frequency

count

(kaʊnt )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense counts , present participle counting , past tense, past participle counted

1. verb

When you count, you say all the numbers one after another up to a particular number.

He was counting slowly under his breath. [VERB]

Brian counted to twenty and lifted his binoculars. [VERB + to]

2. verb

If you count all the things in a group, you add them up in order to find how many there are.

At the last family wedding, George counted the total number in the family. [VERB noun]

I counted the money. It was more than five hundred pounds. [VERB noun]

I counted 34 wild goats grazing. [V num]

With more than 90 percent of the votes counted, the Liberals should win nearly a third of the seats. [VERB-ed]

[Also VERB]

Synonyms: add (up), total, reckon (up), tot up More Synonyms of count

Count up means the same as count.

Couldn't we just count up our ballots and bring them to the courthouse? [VERB PARTICLE noun]

[Also VERB noun PARTICLE]

counting uncountable noun

The counting of votes is proceeding smoothly. [+ of]

3. countable noun

A count is the action of counting a particular set of things, or the number that you get when you have counted them.

The final count in last month's referendum showed 56.7 per cent in favour.

At the last count the police in the Rimini area had 247 people in custody.

Synonyms: calculation, poll, reckoning, sum More Synonyms of count

4. countable noun [noun NOUN]

You use count when referring to the level or amount of something that someone or something has.

He cut his daily calorie count from 3,000 to 2,000.

My husband had a very low sperm count.

5. See also blood count, pollen count

6. singular noun

You use count in expressions such as a count of three or a count of ten when you are measuring a length of time by counting slowly up to a certain number.

Hold your breath for a count of five, then slowly breathe out. [+ of]

The fight ended when Palacios went down for a count of eight.

7. verb

If something or someone counts for something or counts, they are important or valuable.

It doesn't matter where charities get their money from: what counts is what they do with it. [VERB]

It's as if your opinions, your likes and dislikes just don't count. [VERB]

When I first came to college I realised that brainpower didn't count for much. [VERB + for]

Experience counts for a lot in poker. [V for amount]

Synonyms: matter, be important, cut any ice [informal], carry weight More Synonyms of count

8. verb

If something counts or is counted as a particular thing, it is regarded as being that thing, especially in particular circumstances or under particular rules.

No one agrees on what counts as a desert. [VERB + as]

Any word that's not legible will be counted as wrong. [be V-ed as n/-ing/adj]

When you were a child, your wishes didn't always count. [VERB]

It can be counted a success, in that it has built up substantial sales. [be V-ed n/adj]

They can count it as a success. [VERB noun + as]

[Also V n n/adj]

9. verb

If you count something when you are making a calculation, you include it in that calculation.

Statistics don't count the people who aren't qualified to be in the work force. [VERB noun]

The years before their arrival in prison are not counted as part of their sentence. [be VERB-ed + as]

[Also VERB noun + as]

Synonyms: include, number among, take into account or consideration More Synonyms of count

10. countable noun

You can use count to refer to one or more points that you are considering. For example, if someone is wrong on two counts, they are wrong in two ways.

'You drink Scotch,' she said. 'All Republicans drink Scotch.'—'Wrong on both counts. I'm a Democrat, and I drink bourbon.'

11. countable noun

In law, a count is one of a number of charges brought against someone in court.

He was indicted by a grand jury on two counts of murder. [+ of]

12.

keep count/lose count

13.

out for the count

14.

to stand up and be counted

15. to count your blessings

Phrasal verbs:

More Synonyms of count

Word Frequency

Count

(kaʊnt ) also count

Word forms: plural counts

countable noun & title noun

A Count is a European nobleman with the same rank as an English earl.

Her father was a Polish Count.

...Count Otto Lambsdorff, leader of the Free Democratic Party.

Video: pronunciation of 'count'

Word Frequency

count in British 1

(kaʊnt )

verb

to add up or check (each unit in a collection) in order to ascertain the sum; enumerate

count your change

2. (transitive)

to recite numbers in ascending order up to and including

3. (transitive; often foll by in)

to take into account or include

we must count him in

4. not counting

5. (transitive)

to believe to be; consider; think; deem

count yourself lucky

6. (intransitive)

to recite or list numbers in ascending order either in units or groups

to count in tens

7. (intransitive)

to have value, importance, or influence

this picture counts as a rarity

8. (intransitive; often foll by for)

to have a certain specified value or importance

the job counts for a lot

9. (intransitive) music

to keep time by counting beats

noun

10.

the act of counting or reckoning

11.

the number reached by counting; sum

12. law

a paragraph in an indictment containing a distinct and separate charge

13. physics

the total number of photons or ionized particles detected by a counter

14. keep count

15. lose count

16. boxing, wrestling

the act of telling off a number of seconds by the referee, as when a boxer has been knocked down or a wrestler pinned by his or her opponent

17. out for the count

18. take the count

19. archaic

notice; regard; account

Word origin of 'count'

C14: from Anglo-French counter, from Old French conter, from Latin computāre to calculate, compute

Word Frequency

count in British 2

(kaʊnt )

noun

a nobleman in any of various European countries having a rank corresponding to that of a British earl

any of various officials in the late Roman Empire and under various Germanic kings in the early Middle Ages

a man who has received an honour (papal knighthood) from the Pope in recognition of good deeds, achievements, etc

Derived forms

countship (ˈcountˌship)

noun

Word origin of 'count'

C16: from Old French conte, from Late Latin comes occupant of a state office, from Latin: overseer, associate, literally: one who goes with, from com- with + īre to go

Word Frequency

count in American 1

(kaʊnt ; kount)

verb transitive

to name numbers in regular order to (a certain number)

to count five

to add up, one by one, by units or groups, so as to get a total

count the money

to check by numbering off; inventory

to take account of; include

six, counting me

to believe or take to be; consider

to count oneself fortunate

verb intransitive

to name numbers or add up items in order

to be taken into account; have importance, value, etc.

his opinions don't count

to have a specified value

often with for

a touchdown counts for six points

to rely or depend (on or upon)

10. Music

to keep time by counting the beats

noun

11.

the act of counting; adding or numbering

12.

the number reached by counting; total number or quantity

13.

a reckoning or accounting

14. Archaic

regard; notice; account

15. Baseball

the number of balls and strikes that have been pitched to the batter

16. Bowling

the number of pins knocked down by the first ball in a frame following a frame in which a spare or strike is scored: added to the score of the spare or strike of the preceding frame

17. Boxing

the counting of seconds up to ten, during which a boxer who has been knocked down must rise or lose the match

18. Law

any of the charges in an indictment, each of which gives a reason and is sufficient for prosecution

SIMILAR WORDS: reˈly

Idioms:

count in

count off

count out

Derived forms

countable (ˈcountable)

adjective

Word origin of 'count'

ME counten < OFr conter < L computare, compute

Word Frequency

count in American 2

(kaʊnt ; kount)

noun

a nobleman in European countries, having a rank equivalent to that of an English earl

Word origin of 'count'

ME counte < OFr conte < L comes (gen. comitis), companion < com-, with + ire, to go: see exit

Example sentences containing 'count'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

Is he just sitting there counting his own money? Times, Sunday Times (2009)Two individuals were required to be present at all times when offerings are handled and counted. Christianity Today (2000)Twelve jurors convicted you guilty of three felony counts beyond reasonable doubt. The Sun (2016)Tradition and fanbase can still count for something. Times, Sunday Times (2009)The only thing that matters is when the first bell goes and the referee counts to ten. Times, Sunday Times (2011)But offences by released prisoners were counted for two years. Times, Sunday Times (2007)The three are each charged with three counts of murder and were remanded in custody. Times, Sunday Times (2011)They do not want him to be slowly drained by counting the months until the next match. Times, Sunday Times (2012)Your attitude again counts for a lot. Standen, Chris Superdog! Action plans that work for a happy and well-behaved pet (1990) Include the calorie count in your quota. Times, Sunday Times (2013)We lost count of the number of lists and figures he trotted out to defend his position. The Sun (2010)His wife was convicted of three counts of acquiring criminal property and one count of converting it. Times, Sunday Times (2013)It is that last quality that counts. Times, Sunday Times (2013)What counts as success for your team? Times, Sunday Times (2016)Here is the easiest way to keep count. Times, Sunday Times (2013)We know that the only two things that count in life are genetics and wealth. Times, Sunday Times (2012)Today football is too commercial and you can count the amount of good players on one hand. The Sun (2010)Then stop counting and quietly continue to observe your breathing. Times, Sunday Times (2007)The penalty count involved eight individual failings and one failure of leadership. Times, Sunday Times (2008)Work plans take off as you discover that enthusiasm and dedication count for just as much as formal qualifications. The Sun (2014)Focus your attention on the movement of your diaphragm and count 20 breaths in and out. Times, Sunday Times (2007)Others admitted various counts of theft, fraud or laundering. The Sun (2011)Now you've made me lose count. The Sun (2013)

Word Lists

Law terms

Trends of 'count'

Very Common. count is one of the 4000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Translations for 'count'

British English: count /kaʊnt/ VERB

say numbers in order When you count, you say numbers in order, one after the other.

I counted from one to ten.

American English: count
Arabic: يَحْسَبُ
Brazilian Portuguese: contar
Chinese: 数
Croatian: brojiti
Czech: počítat
Danish: tælle
Dutch: tellen
European Spanish: contar numerar
Finnish: laskea lukumäärä ym.
French: compter
German: zählen
Greek: μετρώ
Italian: contare
Japanese: 数える
Korean: 세다
Norwegian: telle
Polish: policzyć
European Portuguese: contar
Romanian: a număra
Russian: считать называть числа по порядку
Spanish: contar numerar
Swedish: räkna
Thai: นับ
Turkish: saymak
Ukrainian: рахувати
Vietnamese: đếm

British English: count /kaʊnt/ VERB

add up When you count all the things in a group, you add them up to see how many there are.

The teacher counted the students in the class.

American English: count
Arabic: يَحْسُبُ
Brazilian Portuguese: contar
Chinese: 数
Croatian: brojati
Czech: spočítat
Danish: tælle
Dutch: tellen
European Spanish: contar
Finnish: laskea
French: compter
German: zählen
Greek: μετρώ
Italian: contare
Japanese: ･･･を数える
Korean: 수를 세다
Norwegian: telle
Polish: liczyć
European Portuguese: contar
Romanian: a număra
Russian: пересчитать
Spanish: contar
Swedish: räkna
Thai: นับ
Turkish: saymak
Ukrainian: рахувати
Vietnamese: đếm

British English: count NOUN

A count is the action of counting a particular set of things, or the number that you get when you have counted them.

The final count in last month's referendum showed 56.7 per cent in favour.

American English: count
Brazilian Portuguese: contagem
Chinese: 数目
European Spanish: recuento
French: décompte
German: Zählung
Italian: conto
Japanese: 集計
Korean: 셈
European Portuguese: contagem
Spanish: recuento

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Nearby words of 'count'

Related Terms of 'count'

Source

Definition of count from the Collins English Dictionary

The semicolon ( ; )

The semicolon is used to mark a break between two main clauses when there is a balance or a contrast between the clauses. Compare: The engine roared into life. The propellers began to turn. The p...