Count
/kaʊnt/
Definitions
4 meaningsTo determine the total number of items or people.
/kaʊnt/
To determine the total number of something.
She started to count the money.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're keeping track of your toys. Counting is just figuring out how many you have. You can use it when you're figuring out how many friends are at a party or how many cookies you've eaten! For example: "I counted ten friends at the playground!"
👶 For kids: To say how many of something there are.
More Examples
Can you count the number of people in the room?
I need you to count how many chairs there are.
How It's Used
"Please count the number of apples in the basket."
"The students are learning to count from 1 to 100."
To consider someone or something as being something, or to value them highly.
/kaʊnt/
To consider or regard someone or something as being.
We count him as one of our best employees.
💡 Simply: Sometimes we don't literally count numbers; we can also "count" something as important. For example, "I count my best friend as family!" means you value them a lot, like family. Other example: “His opinion counts with me.”
👶 For kids: To think of someone or something as being something special or important.
More Examples
I count on your support.
She counts her blessings every day.
How It's Used
"The defendant counts as a flight risk."
"She counts her grandmother as a role model."
The act or process of determining the total number of something.
/kaʊnt/
The act of determining the total number of something.
We need to do a recount to make sure the count is correct.
💡 Simply: This is when we talk about the *result* of counting. Like when they give you the "count" of votes after an election. For example, "The final count of the game was 10-5."
👶 For kids: The number you get when you count something.
More Examples
The final count of the ballots showed a tie.
The referee gave him a ten-count.
How It's Used
"The final count was 50 votes for and 50 votes against."
"The boxer reached the count of ten and lost the match."
A separate charge or allegation in a legal case.
/kaʊnt/
An accusation or charge in a legal case.
The jury found him guilty on all three counts.
💡 Simply: Imagine you are in court, and there are different reasons why you are accused of something. Each reason is called a "count." Think of it like a separate charge. For example, “The defendant faced five different counts in the indictment.”
👶 For kids: When someone is accused of doing something wrong, each reason is called a count.
More Examples
The indictment contained several counts of fraud.
The lawyer successfully had one count dismissed.
How It's Used
"The prosecutor added a new count to the indictment."
Idioms & expressions
count on
To rely on someone or something; to depend on.
"You can always count on me to help."
out for the count
Unconscious or defeated.
"The boxer was knocked out and was out for the count."
take a rain check
To postpone an offer or invitation to a later time.
"I'm busy tonight, but can I take a rain check on that dinner?"
From Old French *conter*, from Latin *computare* meaning 'to calculate', 'to reckon'.
The word 'count' has been used since the 13th century, originally referring to the act of calculation.
Memory tip
Think of counting sheep to fall asleep.