1. 1. A nation or state.
   2. The territory of a nation or state; land.
   3. The people of a nation or state; populace: The whole country will profit from the new economic reforms.
2. The land of a person's birth or citizenship: Foreign travel is restricted in his country.
3. A region, territory, or large tract of land distinguishable by features of topography, biology, or culture: hill country; Bible country.
4. An area or expanse outside cities and towns; a rural area: a vacation in the country.
5. Law. A jury.
6. Informal. Country music.

1. Of, relating to, or typical of the country: a country road; country cooking.
2. Of or relating to country music.

in country

1. In Vietnam during the period of U.S. military operations there: "He'd been in country a month longer than the other four" (Nelson DeMille).

[Middle English countre, from Old French contree, from Vulgar Latin *(terra) contrāta, (land) opposite, before, from Latin contrā, opposite.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.