The difference between state and country

When country refers to a country, it focuses on the territory or population, and is also referred to as "countryside". When state refers to a country, it focuses on the political system and government. It can also refer to the "states" that make up the country.

country

1. [C]? country; country?

an area of ??land that has or used to have its own government and laws

European countries

European countries

leading industrial countries

The most important industrial countries

She didn't know what life in a foreign country would be like.

She didn’t know what life in a foreign country would be like.

She didn’t know what life in a foreign country would be like.

It's good to meet people from different parts of the country.

It's good to meet people from different parts of the country.

2. [U]? (often following an adjective often placed after an adjective)? (especially refers to a region with certain natural features, suitable for a certain purpose or related to a certain person), area?< /p>

an area of ??land, especially with particular physical features, suitable for a particular purpose or connected with a particular person or people

open/wooded, etc. country?

< p>Open, wooded, etc. areas

superb walking country?

Best hiking areas

Explore Thomas Hardy country.

< p>Visit the areas described in Thomas Hardy's novels.

see also?backcountry

3. the country

[sing.]?People of the whole country; national; all people?

the people of a country; the nation as a whole

They have the support of most of the country.

They have the support of most of the country.

The rich benefited from the reforms, not the country as a whole.

The rich benefited from the reforms, not the country as a whole.

The rich benefited from the reforms, not the country as a whole.

See also?mother country,?old country,?up-country

4. the country

[sing.]?countryside; countryside?

4. p>

any area outside towns and cities, with fields, woods, farms, etc.

to live in the country?

Live in the country

We spent a pleasant day in the country.

We spent a pleasant day in the country.

a country lane

Country lane

state

1. [C]? State; condition; situation?

the mental, emotional or physical condition that a person or thing is in

a confused state of mind?

He was in a state of permanent depression.

He has been in a state of permanent depression.

anxieties about the state of the country's economy

Anxieties about the state of the country's economy

The building is in a bad state of repair (= needs to be repaired ) .

The house was in disrepair.

She was in a state of shock.

She was in a state of shock.

(BrE,?informal)?Look at the state of you! You can't go out looking like that.

Look at the state of you! You can't just go out like this.

You're not in a fit state to drive.

You're not in a fit state to drive.

You're not in a fit state to drive.

note at?condition

country country

2. also State

[C]?Country?

a country considered as an organized political community controlled by one government

the Baltic States

The Baltic States

European Union member states

EU member states

see also?city state,?nation state,?police state,?welfare state

note at?country

part of a country of country

3. also State

[C]?(abbr. St.)?state; state?

an organized political community forming part of a country

the states of Victoria and Western Australia

Victoria and Western Australia

the southern states of the US

Southern United States states

government

4. also the State

[U,?sing.]?government?

the government of a country

matters/affairs of state?

National events

people who are financially dependent on the state

People who rely on state relief

a state-owned company

State-owned company

They wish to limit the power of the State.

They wish to limit the power of the government. .