1coun·try 
/ˈkʌntri/ noun
plural coun·tries /ˈkʌntri/ noun 1 a [count] : an area of land that is controlled by its own government : nation
▪ The two countries have a lot in common. ▪ European/foreign countries ▪ They drove across the country from California to New York. ▪ They are living in different parts of the country. — see also mother country, old country
b the country : the people who live in a country
▪ The whole country was stunned by the news. ▪ The President has the support of most of the country. 2 [noncount] : an area or region that has a particular quality or feature or is known for a particular activity.
▪ He moved to the north country to fish and hunt. ▪ We went camping in the hill country. ▪ They drove through miles of open country. ▪ We took a trip to wine country. [=an area where grapes are grown and wine is made] 3 the country : land that is away from big towns and cities : countryside
▪ She lives out in the country. ▪ They prefer the country to the city. 4 [noncount] : country music
▪ She loves country and rock.
▪ The two countries have a lot in common. ▪ European/foreign countries ▪ They drove across the country from California to New York. ▪ They are living in different parts of the country. — see also mother country, old country
b the country : the people who live in a country
▪ The whole country was stunned by the news. ▪ The President has the support of most of the country.
▪ He moved to the north country to fish and hunt. ▪ We went camping in the hill country. ▪ They drove through miles of open country. ▪ We took a trip to wine country. [=an area where grapes are grown and wine is made]
▪ She lives out in the country. ▪ They prefer the country to the city.
▪ She loves country and rock.
across country 1 : from one side of a country to the other.
▪ They drove across country. 2 : from one side of the countryside to the other
▪ The river runs across country. : by a course going directly over the countryside rather than by roads ▪ The group walked across country. — see also cross-country
▪ They drove across country.
▪ The river runs across country. : by a course going directly over the countryside rather than by roads ▪ The group walked across country. — see also cross-country
go to the country
Brit : to call for a general election to be held
▪ He went to the country and won.
▪ He went to the country and won.
