Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense 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 athird 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? [VERBPARTICLE noun]
[Also VERB noun PARTICLE]
countinguncountable 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 countsfor something or counts, they are important or valuable.
It doesn't matter what you've said; what counts is how you act. [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. [Vfor amount]
Synonyms: matter, be important, cut any ice [informal], carry weight More Synonyms of count
8. verb
If something counts or is countedas 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. [beV-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. [beV-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. [beVERB-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.
See keep count/lose count
13.
See out for the count
14.
See to stand up and be counted
15. to count your blessings
Phrasal verbs:
See count against
See count in
See count on
See count out
See count towards
See count up
See count upon
More Synonyms of count
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 in British English1
(kaʊnt)
verb
1.
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 byin)
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 byfor)
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
C14: from Anglo-French counter, from Old French conter, from Latin computāre to calculate, compute
count in British English2
(kaʊnt)
noun
1.
a nobleman in any of various European countries having a rank corresponding to that of a British earl
2.
any of various officials in the late Roman Empire and under various Germanic kings in the early Middle Ages
3.
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
C16: from Old French conte, from Late Latin comes occupant of a state office, from Latin: overseer, associate, literally: one who goeswith, from com- with + īre to go
count in American English1
(kaʊnt)
verb transitive
1.
to name numbers in regular order to (a certain number)
to count five
2.
to add up, one by one, by units or groups, so as to get a total
count the money
3.
to check by numbering off; inventory
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
9.
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 downmust 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
ME counten < OFr conter < L computare, compute
count in American English2
(kaʊnt)
noun
a nobleman in European countries, having a rank equivalent to that of an English earl
Word origin
ME counte < OFr conte < L comes (gen. comitis), companion < com-, with + ire, to go: see exit
More idioms containing
count
someone can count something on the fingers of one hand
out for the count
down for the count
count the cost
don't count your chickens
COBUILD Collocations
count
admit counts of
calorie count
count calories
deny counts of
Examples of 'count' in a sentence
count
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)
In other languages
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
Latin American 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
Latin American 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
Latin American Spanish: recuento
All related terms of 'count'
count in
If you tell someone to count you in , you mean that you want to be included in an activity.
count off
to separate into equal divisions by counting
count on
If you count on something or count upon it, you expect it to happen and include it in your plans .
count out
If you count out a sum of money, you count the notes or coins as you put them in a pile one by one.
count up
re-count
to count ( votes , etc) again
blood count
Your blood count is the number of red and white cells in your blood. A blood count can also refer to a medical examination which determines the number of red and white cells in your blood.
body count
the number of people killed
count noses
to count the number of people present , voting , etc.
count noun
A count noun is a noun such as ' bird ', ' chair ', or ' year ' which has a singular and a plural form and is always used after a determiner in the singular.
count upon
head count
If you do a head count , you count the number of people present. You can also use head count to talk about the number of people that are present at an event , or that an organization employs.
keep count
to keep a record of items , events, etc
lose count
to fail to keep an accurate record of items , events, etc
point count
a method of evaluating a player's hand in terms of points assigned to it for high cards and extremes of suit distribution
sperm count
the number of spermatozoa in an amount of semen , used as an indication of a man's fertility
calorie count
You use count when referring to the level or amount of something that someone or something has.
count against
If something counts against you, it may cause you to be rejected or punished , or cause people to have a lower opinion of you.
Count Rumford
Benjamin , Count Rumford . 1753–1814, Anglo-American physicist, noted for his work on the nature of heat
count towards
If something counts towards or counts toward an achievement or right , it is included as one of the things that give you the right to it.
pollen count
The pollen count is a measure of how much pollen is in the air at a particular place and time. Information about the pollen count is given to help people who are made ill by pollen.
count calories
If you count all the things in a group, you add them up in order to find how many there are.
count palatine
originally an official who administered the king's domains or his justice
count the cost
If someone counts the cost of something that has happened or will happen, they consider how the consequences of that action or event affect them.
take the count
to be unable to continue after a count of ten
keep count/lose count
If you keep count of a number of things, you note or keep a record of how many have occurred . If you lose count of a number of things, you cannot remember how many have occurred.
count one's beads
to pray with a rosary
full blood count
an examination of the number of blood cells in a sample of blood, used to evaluate a patient's overall health
Milton Work count
a system of hand valuation in which aces count 4, kings 3, queens 2, and jacks 1
countdown
A countdown is the counting aloud of numbers in reverse order before something happens , especially before a spacecraft is launched.
count one's chickens
If you say that someone is counting their chickens , you mean that they are assuming that they will be successful or get something, when this is not certain .
count oneself lucky
If you say that someone can count themselves lucky , you mean that the situation they are in or the thing that has happened to them is better than it might have been or than they might have expected .
down for the count
having failed in something that you are doing
out for the count
If someone is out for the count , they are unconscious or very deeply asleep .
don't count your chickens
said to mean that you should not make plans for the future because you do not know for certain how a particular situation will develop
to count your blessings
If you tell someone to count their blessings , you are saying that they should think about how lucky they are instead of complaining .
count one's chickens before they are hatched
to be overoptimistic in acting on expectations which are not yet fulfilled
someone can count something on the fingers of one hand
said to mean that there are surprisingly few of the things mentioned