- 1[usually singular] an act of counting to find the total number of something; the total number that you find The bus driver did a quick count of the empty seats. If the election result is close, there will be a second count. The body count (= the total number of people who have died) stands at 24. see headcount saying numbers
- 2[usually singular] an act of saying numbers in order beginning with 1 Raise your leg and hold for a count of ten. He was knocked to the ground and stayed down for a count of eight (= in boxing). On the count of three, take one step forward.
- 3[usually singular] (technology) a measurement of the amount of something contained in a particular substance or area a raised white blood cell count see blood count, pollen count crime
- 4(law) a crime that someone is accused of committing They were found guilty on all counts. She appeared in court on three counts of fraud. in discussion/argument
- 5[usually plural] a point made during a discussion or an argument I disagree with you on both counts. rank/title
- 6(in some European countries) a nobleman of high rank, similar to an earl in Britain Count Tolstoy see countess Idioms
- 1(of a boxer) unable to get up again within ten seconds after being knocked down
- 2in a deep sleep
total
according to the latest information about the numbers of something She'd applied for 30 jobs at the last count.
to remember or keep a record of numbers or amounts of something over a period of time Keep a count of your calorie intake for one week.
to forget the total of something before you have finished counting it I lost count and had to start again. She had lost count of the number of times she'd told him to be careful (= she could not remember because there were so many).
Check pronunciation: count