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downstate

noun
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down·​state | \ ˈdau̇n-ˌstāt How to pronounce downstate (audio) \

Definition of downstate

: the chiefly southerly sections of a state also : the chiefly rural part of a state when the major metropolitan area is to the north
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Other Words from downstate

downstate \ ˈdau̇n-​ˈstāt How to pronounce downstate (audio) \ adjective or adverb
downstater \ ˈdau̇n-​ˈstā-​tər How to pronounce downstater (audio) \ noun

Examples of downstate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Jekot enjoyed performing at the Illinois Storytelling Festival and at the Galesburg Storytelling Festival in downstate Galesburg. — Bob Goldsborough, chicagotribune.com, "Joe Jekot, longtime Loyola Academy teacher, professional storyteller, dies at 57," 29 Sep. 2019 Hardy, who was born in the Philippines and raised downstate in Springfield prepares throughout the week for the market. — Steve Zimmerman, chicagotribune.com, "No restaurant? No problem for chefs braving the elements to build businesses based on farmers markets," 14 Oct. 2019 Hollywood Casino and city officials lobbied in Springfield to get that legislation, and Aurora representatives downstate had a lot to do with sponsoring and pushing it. — Steve Lord, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora looks at $10 million purchase of land near outlet mall," 14 June 2019 Also punching his ticket downstate for Vernon Hills was junior Patrick Sear, who was second in the pole vault (13-6). — Steve Reaven, chicagotribune.com, "Boys track notes: Zach Sheasby makes a big leap to become state-qualifying jumper," 18 May 2018 Several friends spoke about attending a rock concert planned downstate in a month. — Ray San Fratello, orlandosentinel.com, "Apollo 11 memories: Even if those footprints are covered in moon dust...," 20 July 2019 Sophia King, 4th, said the higher cost of living in the city than downstate makes the quicker bump necessary. — John Byrne, chicagotribune.com, "Aldermen introduce plan to hike Chicago's minimum wage to $15 in 2021," 12 June 2019 Bitter winds are forecast to reach downstate and other parts of the region as well. ... — Joseph De Avila, WSJ, "New York Area Battens Down for Arctic Blast," 30 Jan. 2019 And researchers for the first time examined youth joblessness in mostly white downstate areas, finding pockets of rural Illinois where the crisis is particularly severe. — Alexia Elejalde-ruiz, chicagotribune.com, "Unemployment rate for Chicago’s black youth improves: report," 12 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'downstate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of downstate

1905, in the meaning defined above

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Time Traveler for downstate

Time Traveler

The first known use of downstate was in 1905

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Statistics for downstate

Last Updated

5 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Downstate.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downstate. Accessed 25 January 2020.

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More Definitions for downstate

downstate

noun
How to pronounce downstate (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of downstate

US : the southern part of a state

See the full definition for downstate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on downstate

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with downstate

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