Counter may refer to:

Mathematics and computing

Counter machine A counter machine or counter automaton is an abstract machine used in a formal logic and theoretical computer science to model computation. It is the most primitive of the four types of register machines. A counter machine comprises a set of on ...

, a subclass of register machines *

Counter (digital) In digital electronics, a counter is a sequential logic circuit that counts and stores the number of positive or negative transitions of a clock signal. A counter typically consists of flip-flop (electronics), flip-flops, which store a value repr ...

, an electronic circuit that counts rising or falling edges of a clock signal *

Loop counter In computer science, a for-loop or for loop is a control flow statement for specifying iteration. Specifically, a for-loop functions by running a section of code repeatedly until a certain condition has been satisfied. For-loops have two parts: ...

, the variable that controls the iterations of a loop * Jeton, a reckoning counter used on reckoning boards for calculations * Mechanical counter, a digital counter using mechanical components *

Tally counter A tally counter is a mechanical, electronic, or software device used to incrementally count something, typically fleeting. One of the most common things tally counters are used for is counting people, animals, or things that are coming and going ...

, a mechanical counting device * Web counter, a counter that counts the number of visits to a web page *

Project COUNTER Project COUNTER or simply COUNTER (Counting Online Usage of Networked Electronic Resources) is an international non-profit membership organization of libraries, publishers, and vendors. The organization continually develops a standard, the ''Cod ...

, a standard for reporting usage statistics of electronic resources * People counter, a device used to measure the number of people transversing a certain passage or entrance

Games and sport

Counter (board wargames) A counter is usually a small cardboard square moved around on the map of a board wargame A board wargame is a wargame with a set playing surface or board game, board, as opposed to being played on a computer or in a more free-form playing are ...

, a playing piece used in board wargames * Counter run, an offensive play in American football * Counter turn, an element in figure skating * Counter (collectible card games), a small item used to represent certain objects or conditions in a collectible card game * Jones Counter, measures distance bicycles travel

Linguistics and typography

Counter (typography) In typography, a counter is the typeface anatomy, area of a letter that is entirely or partially enclosed by a letter form or a symbol (the counter-space/the hole of). The stroke that creates such a space is known as a "bowl". Latin script, Latin ...

, an enclosed space in a letter-form *

Measure word In linguistics, measure words are words (or morphemes) that are used in combination with a numeral to indicate an amount of something represented by some noun. Many languages use measure words, and East Asian languages such as Chinese, Japanese, ...

, a type of word in some languages **

Japanese counter word In Japanese language, Japanese, counter words or counters are measure words used with Japanese numerals, numbers to count things, actions, and events. Counters are added directly after numbers. There are numerous counters, and different counters ar ...

Other uses

Countertop A countertop, also counter top, counter, benchtop, worktop (British English) or kitchen bench (Australian or New Zealand English), bunker (Scottish English) is a raised, firm, flat, and horizontal surface. They are built for work in kitchens o ...

, the flat surface of a counter *

Bar (counter) A bar, also known as a saloon, a tavern or tippling house, or sometimes as a pub or club, is a retail business that serves alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, liquor, cocktails, and other beverages such as mineral water and soft drinks. Ba ...

, a type of counter used in bars for food serving *

Compter A compter, sometimes referred to as a counter, was a type of small England, English prison controlled by a sheriff. The inmates were usually civil prisoners, for example dissenters and debtors. Examples of compters include London's Wood Street Comp ...

or counter, a small jail * Counter, the part of a ship's

stern The stern is the back or aft-most part of a ship or boat, technically defined as the area built up over the sternpost, extending upwards from the counter rail to the taffrail. The stern lies opposite the bow, the foremost part of a ship. O ...

above the waterline that extends beyond the rudder stock (see nautical terms) * The Counter, a global hamburger restaurant chain *

Frequency counter A frequency counter is an electronics, electronic measuring instrument, instrument, or Electronic component, component of one, that is used for measuring frequency. Frequency counters usually measure the number of cycles of oscillation or pulses p ...

, an electronic instrument for measuring frequency

People with the name

Nick Counter James Nicholas Counter III (1940–November 6, 2009) was an American labor attorney, who served as the long-standing president of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and as chief negotiator for the major studios who squared ...

(1940–2009), American film and television executive * S. Allen Counter (1944–2017), American neuroscientist, polar explorer, and university administrator * See also

Caunter Caunter is a surname originating principally in the West Country in England. The name derives from Anglo-Norman ''caunter/cauntour'', "singer, one who leads the singing", or from Latin ''cantor'', referring to precentors in cathedrals or monaster ...

, an associated surname