count·er
ˈkau̇n-tər
1
: a piece (as of metal or plastic) used in reckoning or in games
2
: something of value in bargaining : asset
3
: a level surface (such as a table, shelf or display case) over which transactions are conducted or food is served or on which goods are displayed or work is conducted
jewelry counter
a lunch counter
count·er
ˈkau̇n-tər
plural counters
: a person or thing that counts something
… I would just tell them I am a very fast counter.—Judy Blume
especially
: a device or process for indicating a number or amount
a counter that records how many times a website is visited
As they entered the main door on Fifth Avenue, the guard clicked off two numbers on his people counter. —E. L. Konigsburg
coun·ter
ˈkau̇n-tər
countered; countering
ˈkau̇n-t(ə-)riŋ
1
2
: to assert in answer
We countered that our warnings had been ignored.
: to meet attacks or arguments with defensive or retaliatory steps
coun·ter
ˈkau̇n-tər
1
: in an opposite or wrong direction
2
: to or toward a different or opposite direction, result, or effect
values that run counter to those of society
coun·ter
ˈkau̇n-tər
2
: the after portion of a boat from the waterline to the extreme outward swell or stern overhang
3
a
: the act of making an attack while parrying one (as in boxing)
also
: a blow thus given in boxing
b
: an agency or force that offsets : check
4
: a stiffener to give permanent form to a boot or shoe upper around the heel
5
: an area within the face of a letter wholly or partly enclosed by strokes
6
: a football play in which the ballcarrier goes in a direction opposite to the movement of the play
coun·ter
ˈkau̇n-tər
1
: marked by or tending toward or in an opposite direction or effect
2
: given to or marked by opposition, hostility, or antipathy
3
: situated or lying opposite
the counter side
4
: recalling or ordering back by a superseding contrary order : countermanding
counter orders from the colonel
1
a
: contrary : opposite
counterclockwise
countermarch
b
: opposing : retaliatory
counterforce
counteroffensive
2
: complementary : corresponding
counterweight
counterpart
3
: duplicate : substitute
counterfoil
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share