Counter: meaning, definitions and examples

Also refers to a person or a device that counts or keeps track of something.

• The step counter showed she had walked 10,000 steps
• The warehouse employs counters to keep track of inventory

Specifically refers to the flat surface in a kitchen or bathroom used for preparing food or placing items. Generally implies a more permanent and finished surface.

• The kitchen had a marble countertop
• She cleaned the countertop after preparing dinner

Commonly used in British English to describe the surface in a kitchen where kitchen work is done, similar to countertop in American English.

• He cut the vegetables on the worktop
• The new kitchen has a spacious worktop

A device or person that counts.

• The entry gate has a counter to track the number of visitors
• They hired a counter to take inventory

The place in a store where customers pay for their purchases.

• She waited in line at the checkout
• The checkout clerk was very helpful

A machine used in shops which is used to calculate and record sales transactions; also refers to the list of recorded items or transactions.

• The cashier opened the register to give me change
• He signed his name in the register at the front desk

Another context is describing a person or machine that counts, especially in a retail or inventory setting.

• The counter at the grocery store tallied up my purchases
• We hired a counter to keep track of our stock

Used mainly in programming or technical settings to describe a function or tool that increases a numeric value by a set amount.

• The incrementer in the code ensures the variable increases by one with each loop iteration
• Use the incrementer to update the counter after each event

Commonly used to describe a system or tool that monitors and records the status, progress, or location of something over time.

• The fitness tracker helps me monitor my daily activity
• Our shipment tracker shows the package is currently in transit