1count·er 
/ˈkaʊntɚ/ noun
plural count·ers /ˈkaʊntɚ/ noun [count] 1 : a piece of furniture with a flat surface that workers and customers stand on opposite sides of when doing business in a store, restaurant, etc.
▪ He walked up to the counter and ordered his food. ▪ There was a long line at the sales/checkout counter. ▪ I put my money down on the counter. ▪ She recognized the man behind the counter. — see also lunch counter 2 US a : a long, flat surface on which food is prepared in a kitchen
▪ a kitchen counter ▪ I wish my kitchen had more counter space. [=I wish it had more counters or a bigger counter] —called also countertop (Brit) worktop; — see picture at kitchen
b : a flat surface around a sink in a bathroom
▪ a bathroom counter —called also countertop 3 : a small object that is used in some board games
▪ He walked up to the counter and ordered his food. ▪ There was a long line at the sales/checkout counter. ▪ I put my money down on the counter. ▪ She recognized the man behind the counter. — see also lunch counter
▪ a kitchen counter ▪ I wish my kitchen had more counter space. [=I wish it had more counters or a bigger counter] —called also countertop (Brit) worktop; — see picture at kitchen
b : a flat surface around a sink in a bathroom
▪ a bathroom counter —called also countertop
over the counter
: without a special note (called a prescription) from a doctor
▪ The drug is available over the counter.
▪ The drug is available over the counter.
under the counter
: secretly and usually illegally
▪ The workers were paid under the counter. [=under the table]
▪ The workers were paid under the counter. [=under the table]
