determine the total number of (a collection of items)

I started to count the stars I could see

they counted up their change

take into account; include

the staff has shrunk to four, or five if you count the European director

be significant

it did not matter what the audience thought—it was the critics that counted

taking account of when reaching a total; including

there were three of us in the family, or four counting my pet rabbit

the college had 139 employees, not counting those engaged in routine clerical work