state

¹state

noun, often attributive \ˈstāt\

Definition of STATE

1

a : mode or condition of being <a state of readiness> b (1) : condition of mind or temperament <in a highly nervous state> (2) : a condition of abnormal tension or excitement

2

a : a condition or stage in the physical being of something <insects in the larval state> <the gaseous state of water> b : any of various conditions characterized by definite quantities (as of energy, angular momentum, or magnetic moment) in which an atomic system may exist

3

a : social position; especially : high rank b (1) : elaborate or luxurious style of living (2) : formal dignity : pomp —usually used with in

4

a : a body of persons constituting a special class in a society : estate 3 b plural : the members or representatives of the governing classes assembled in a legislative body c obsolete : a person of high rank (as a noble)

5

a : a politically organized body of people usually occupying a definite territory; especially : one that is sovereign b : the political organization of such a body of people c : a government or politically organized society having a particular character <a police state> <the welfare state>

6

: the operations or concerns of the government of a country

7

a : one of the constituent units of a nation having a federal government <the fifty states> b plural capitalized : The United States of America

8

: the territory of a state

Examples of STATE

1. Happiness is the state or condition of being happy.
2. We must keep our armed forces in a constant state of readiness.
3. She meditates to achieve a higher state of being.
4. The building is in such a sorry state that it's hardly worth fixing.
5. water in a gaseous state
6. the solid and liquid states
7. the member states of the United Nations Security Council

Origin of STATE

Middle English stat, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French estat, from Latin status, from stare to stand — more at stand

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to STATE

Synonyms: commonwealth, country, land, sovereignty (also sovranty), nation

Related Words: city-state, microstate, ministate, nation-state; domain, dominion, empire, kingdom, realm, republic; duchy, dukedom, emirate, principality, seigniory (or seignory), sultanate; democracy, dictatorship, monarchy, monocracy, oligarchy, sovereign (also sovran), theocracy; client state, colony, condominium, dependency, mandate, province, settlement, soil, trust territory; fatherland, homeland, motherland; great power, power, sea power, superpower, world power; welfare state

Near Antonyms: debasement, degradation; subordinateness, subordination; baseness, commonness, inferiority, lowliness, lowness

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with STATE

ait, bait, bate, blate, cate, crate, date, eight, fate, fete, freight, gait, gate, grate, great, haet, hate, late, mate, pate, plait, plate, prate, quoit, rate, sate, skate, slate, spate, straight, strait, teth, trait, wait, weight