(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government
"the county has a population of 12,345 people"
(United States) the largest administrative district within a state
"the county plans to build a new road"
The land ruled by a count or a countess.
"In medieval France, each county was an independent realm governed directly by its own noble count rather than the king's appointed officials."
In plain English: A county is a large area of land within a state that is run by its own local government.
"We drove through the countryside to visit my aunt in the county where she lives."
Usage: A county is an administrative division of a country, typically used in the United States and United Kingdom, rather than a region historically ruled by a noble title. Use this word to refer to specific local government areas like Los Angeles County or Kent County.
Characteristic of a ‘county family’; representative of the gentry or aristocracy of a county.
"After years in the city, his manner grew distinctly county as he began attending local hunts and hosting dinner parties for neighbors from the landed families."
In plain English: A county is an adjective used to describe something that belongs to or comes from a specific county.
"The county fair attracted visitors from all over the region."
Usage: As an adjective, "county" describes something characteristic of the landed gentry or aristocracy associated with a specific English county. Use it to indicate that a person, manner, or property reflects the traditional values and status of the local nobility rather than urban life.
The word "county" comes from the Old French conté, which originally meant the jurisdiction of a count. It entered Middle English as countee and eventually replaced the native Old English term sċīr, which is the ancestor of the modern word "shire."