Free State

noun

: a state of the U.S. in which slavery was prohibited before the Civil War

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Free State was in 1819

Rhymes for Free State

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freestanding
Free State
free-state man
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Cite this Entry

“Free State.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Free%20State. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on Free State

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Free State

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