26984 words

counter

18 definitions • 27 examples
1
a long, flat, narrow surface or table in a shop, bank, restaurant, etc. at which people are served:

Examples:

behind the counter There was nobody behind the counter when I went into the bank, and I had to wait to be served.
on the counter You will find sausages on the meat counter.
2
a

Examples:

kitchen counter We stacked the dirty plates on the kitchen counter.
3
a small object used to mark someone's place in some games played on boards
4
a person or machine that counts
5
a play in American football in which a running back or other player holding the ball runs to one side, but then turns and runs towards the other side:

Examples:

Because he has the athleticism to pivot quickly, he is used in a lot of counter plays.
The defence got fooled by a counter run that left the field wide open for the runner on the left side.
6
in boxing, a punch (= hit) in reaction to a punch from your opponent:

Examples:

He left his glove low as he prepared to throw a following right hand, and was vulnerable to a straight right-hand counter.
He came back strongly to take the second round courtesy of a series of stinging left-hand counters.
7
in the game of bowls, any bowl (= the large ball that players roll along the ground) that is closer to the target than your opponent's bowls:

Examples:

They had to measure to see whether it was a counter or not.
I was in a strong position with two counters.
8
to react to something with an opposing opinion or action, or to defend yourself against something:

Examples:

counter with After the government bombed their camp, the rebels countered with an attack on the capital.
When criticisms were made of the school's performance, the parents' group countered with details of its excellentexam results.
Extra police have been moved into the area to counter the risk of violence.
9
in boxing, to punch (= hit) an opponent after they have punched you:

Examples:

counter with The challenger countered with a crisp right to the head for a flash knockdown.
He countered with a left hook.
10
in a way that opposes something:

Examples:

run counter to Bob's decision not to take the job ran counter to his family's expectations.
11
opposing or as a reaction to something:

Examples:

a counterattack (= an attack on someone who has attacked you)
12
a long, flat, narrow surface in a store, bank, restaurant, etc., at which people are served:

Examples:

He sat down at the counter of the diner and ordered a cup of coffee.
13
A counter is also a flat surface in a kitchen on which food can be prepared.
14
to react to something with an opposing opinion or action; to defend yourself against something:

Examples:

[ T ] To counter the inaccuracies in the movie, researchers used computer models to project climate changes.
15
in a way that opposes an opinion or action:

Examples:

David’s decision to drop out of school to write plays ran counter to (= was directly opposite to) his parent’s expectations.
16
the place where customers go to be served or to buy goods in a store:

Examples:

Please pay at the counter.
You will find rolls on the bread counter.
the checkout counter
He serves behind the counter at the local deli.
17
goods or services that are sold or available over the counter can be bought or obtained without needing official permission, for example, from a doctor or someone in authority:

Examples:

Bonds are sold over the counter, with prices quoted privately to the client.
Regulators declined permission for the remedy to be sold over the counter.
18
goods or services that are sold or available under the counter can be bought or obtained secretly and sometimes illegally:

Examples:

Pirate DVDs are available under the counter in pubs and clubs everywhere.
under-the-counter deals

Navigation