Definition of 'count'
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]
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]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.
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
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]
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]
10. countable noun
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]
Phrasal verbs:
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Video: pronunciation of 'count'
verb
1.
count your change
4. not counting
6. (intransitive)
to recite or list numbers in ascending order either in units or groups
to count in tens
8. (intransitive; often foll by for)
to have a certain specified value or importance
the job counts for a lot
noun
10.
the act of counting or reckoning
11.
the number reached by counting; sum
14. keep count
15. lose count
16. boxing, wrestling
18. take the count
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin of 'count'
noun
1.
a nobleman in any of various European countries having a rank corresponding to that of a British earl
2.
3.
a man who has received an honour (papal knighthood) from the Pope in recognition of good deeds, achievements, etc
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
noun
Word origin of 'count'
verb transitive
2.
to add up, one by one, by units or groups, so as to get a total
count the money
4.
to take account of; include
six, counting me
5.
to believe or take to be; consider
to count oneself fortunate
verb intransitive
6.
to name numbers or add up items in order
7.
to be taken into account; have importance, value, etc.
his opinions don't count
8.
to have a specified value
often with for a touchdown counts for six points
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
16. Bowling
17. Boxing
18. Law
SIMILAR WORDS: reˈly
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
adjective
noun
a nobleman in European countries, having a rank equivalent to that of an English earl
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin of 'count'
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. 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
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.
Nearby words of 'count'
Source
Definition of count from the
Collins English Dictionary
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