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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | conter, from Latin computare; COMPUTE |
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count1 S1 W3
1 to calculate the total number of things or people in a group : I was amazed at the number of plants - I counted 147.
find the total
also count up [transitive]I was amazed at the number of plants - I counted 147.2 to say numbers in order, one by one or in groups
say numbers
also count up [intransitive]3 to be allowed or accepted, or to allow or accept something, according to a standard, set of ideas, or set of rules : A linesman had his flag up so the kick did not count.
be allowed
[intransitive and transitive]A linesman had his flag up so the kick did not count. count as Locally produced sales by American firms in Japan do not count as exports. Today's session is counted as training, so you will get paid.
Locally produced sales by American firms in Japan do not count as exports.Today's session is counted as training, so you will get paid.4 to include someone or something in a total :
include
[transitive]5 to consider someone or something in a particular way
consider something
[transitive]6 to be important or valuable : First impressions really do count.
important
[intransitive not in progressive]First impressions really do count.7 used to emphasize how small the number of something is : The number of cougar attacks on humans can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
I/you can count somebody/something on (the fingers of) one hand
spokenThe number of cougar attacks on humans can be counted on the fingers of one hand.8 used to say that you should not make plans that depend on something good happening, because it might not : I wouldn't count your chickens, Mr Vass. I've agreed to sign the contract, but that's all.
don't count your chickens (before they're hatched)
spokenI wouldn't count your chickens, Mr Vass. I've agreed to sign the contract, but that's all.10 to start having problems as a result of your earlier decisions or mistakes : We're now counting the cost of not taking out medical insurance.
count the cost
We're now counting the cost of not taking out medical insurance.11 used to say that you are not worried about the number of times something happens - often used humorously : Apparently the next Star Trek film (number six, but who's counting ?) will definitely be the last.
who's counting?
Apparently the next Star Trek film (number six, but who's counting ?) will definitely be the last.12 to imagine a line of sheep jumping over a fence, one at a time, and count them as a way of getting to sleep
count sheep
➔ stand up and be counted
at stand1 (5); ➔ it's the thought that counts
at thought2 (12)count down
phrasal verbcount somebody in
phrasal verbWhen the game gets started, you can count me in.count on/upon somebody/something
phrasal verb1 to depend on someone or something, especially in a difficult situation : You can count on me. With luck, you might cover your costs, but don't count on it.
You can count on me.With luck, you might cover your costs, but don't count on it. count on (somebody/something) doing something We're all counting on winning this contract. They were counting on him not coming out of hospital.
We're all counting on winning this contract.They were counting on him not coming out of hospital.2 to expect something : The presence of Paula was one thing he hadn't counted on.
The presence of Paula was one thing he hadn't counted on. count on (somebody/something) doing something We didn't count on so many people being on vacation.
We didn't count on so many people being on vacation.count somebody/something out
phrasal verb1 to not include someone or something in an activity : I'm sorry, you'll have to count me out tonight.
I'm sorry, you'll have to count me out tonight.2 to decide that someone or something is not important or worth considering : I wouldn't count him out. If anybody can make a comeback, he can.
I wouldn't count him out. If anybody can make a comeback, he can.3 to put things down one by one as you count them : The teller counted out ten $50 bills.
count something ↔ out
The teller counted out ten $50 bills.
