count (counts plural & 3rd person present) (counting present participle) (counted past tense & past participle )
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... V
Brian counted to twenty and lifted his binoculars. V to num
2 verb If you count all the things in a group, you add them up in order to find how many there are.
I counted the money. It was more than five hundred pounds... V n
I counted 34 wild goats grazing... V num
With more than 90 percent of the votes counted, the Liberals should win nearly a third of the seats. V-ed, Also V
Count up means the same as count., phrasal verb
Couldn't we just count up our ballots and bring them to the courthouse? V P n (not pron), Also V n P
counting n-uncount usu the N of n
The counting of votes is proceeding smoothly.
3 n-count A count is the action of counting a particular set of things, or the number that you get when you have counted them.
usu supp N
The final count in last month's referendum showed 56.7 per cent in favour...
4 n-count You use count when referring to the level or amount of something that someone or something has.
n N
A glass or two of wine will not significantly add to the calorie count...
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blood count
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pollen count
5 n-sing 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.
N of num
Hold your breath for a count of five, then slowly breathe out...
6 verb If something or someone countsfor something or counts, they are important or valuable.
(=matter)
Surely it doesn't matter where charities get their money from: what counts is what they do with it... V
When I first came to college I realised that brainpower didn't count for much... V for amount
7 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... V as n/-ing/adj
Two of the trucks were stopped because they had tents in them, and under the commanders' definition of humanitarian aid, that didn't count... V
They can count it as a success. V n as n
8 verb If you count something when you are making a calculation, you include it in that calculation.
(=include)
It's under 7 percent only because statistics don't count the people who aren't qualified to be in the work force... V n
The years before their arrival in prison are not counted as part of their sentence. be V-ed as n, Also V n as n
9 n-count 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.
on supp N
`You drink Scotch,' she said. `All Republicans drink Scotch.'—`Wrong on both counts. I'm a Democrat, and I drink bourbon.'
10 n-count In law, a count is one of a number of charges brought against someone in court.
usu N of n
He was indicted by a grand jury on two counts of murder.
11 If you keep countof a number of things, you note or keep a record of how many have occurred. If you lose countof a number of things, you cannot remember how many have occurred.
keep count/lose count phrase V inflects, oft PHR of n
The authorities say they are not able to keep count of the bodies still being found as helicopters search the area..., She'd lost count of the interviews she'd been called for.
12 If someone is out for the count, they are unconscious or very deeply asleep.
INFORMAL
out for the count phrase v-link PHR
13 If you say that someone should stand up and be counted, you mean that they should say publicly what they think, and not hide it or be ashamed of it.
to stand up and be counted phrase
Those involved and benefiting from the scandal must be prepared to stand up and be counted.
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to count your blessings
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blessing count against phrasal verb If something counts against you, it may cause you to be rejected or punished, or cause people to have a lower opinion of you.
He is highly regarded, but his youth might count against him. V P n count in phrasal verb If you tell someone to count you in, you mean that you want to be included in an activity.
usu imper (Antonym: count out)
She shrugged. `You can count me in, I guess.' V n P count on , count upon
1 phrasal verb If you count on something or count upon it, you expect it to happen and include it in your plans.
The government thought it could count on the support of the trades unions... V P n/-ing
2 phrasal verb If you count on someone or count upon them, you rely on them to support you or help you.
Don't count on Lillian... V P n
I can always count on you to cheer me up... V P n to-inf count out
1 phrasal verb If you count out a sum of money, you count the notes or coins as you put them in a pile one by one.
Mr. Rohmbauer counted out the money and put it in an envelope. V P n (not pron), Also V n P
2 phrasal verb If you tell someone to count you out, you mean that you do not want to be included in an activity.
usu imper (Antonym: count in)
If this is the standard to which I have to drop to gain membership, then count me out! V n P count towards phrasal verb
in AM, usually use count toward 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.
In many courses, work from the second year onwards can count towards the final degree. V P n count up
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count 2 count upon
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count on
