a county of central England: absorbed the small historical county of Rutland in 1974; Rutland and Leicester city became independent unitary authorities in 1997: largely agricultural. Administrative centre: Leicester. Pop (excluding Leicester city): 619 200 (2003 est). Area (excluding Leicester city): 2084 sq km(804 sq miles)
Shortened form: Leicester. Abbreviation: Leics
Leicestershire in American English
(ˈlɛstərˌʃɪr; ˈlɛstərʃər)
county in central England: 985 sq mi (2,551 sq km); pop. 868,000