county

An area within a country or state, often with its own local government.

• She lives in a small county.
• The county council repaired the bridge.
• Three counties reported heavy flooding.

Common phrases: county council, county government, rural county, county boundary

A named area with traditional boundaries that no longer has its own government.

• The village lies in a historic county.
• These county boundaries appear on older maps.
• The traditional county has no separate council today.

Common phrases: historic county, traditional county, county boundary