Definition of state
1a : mode or condition of being a state of readinessb (1) : condition of mind or temperament in a highly nervous state (2) : a condition of abnormal tension or excitement
2a : a condition or stage in the physical being of something insects in the larval state the gaseous state of waterb : any of various conditions characterized by definite quantities (as of energy, angular momentum, or magnetic moment) in which an atomic system may exist
3a : social position; especially : high rankb (1) : elaborate or luxurious style of living (2) : formal dignity : pomp —usually used with in
4a : a body of persons constituting a special class in a society : estate 3b states plural : the members or representatives of the governing classes assembled in a legislative bodyc obsolete : a person of high rank (as a noble)
5a : a politically organized body of people usually occupying a definite territory; especially : one that is sovereignb : the political organization of such a body of peoplec : 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
7a : one of the constituent units of a nation having a federal government the fifty statesb States plural : The United States of America
8 : the territory of a state
From the M-W Editors
Examples of state in a Sentence
Happiness is the state or condition of being happy.
We must keep our armed forces in a constant state of readiness.
She meditates to achieve a higher state of being.
The building is in such a sorry state that it's hardly worth fixing.
water in a gaseous state
the solid and liquid states
the member states of the United Nations Security Council
Recent Examples of state from the Web
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And 57 percent opposed allowing states to reduce the types of benefits that federal law now requires insurers to cover.
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But Evergreen Health is reentering the state’s marketplace, so everyone will have at least three companies to pick from.
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Which is to say, the federal government set up a program of official money-laundering in order to make an end run around state laws.
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Without approval of a new funding formula, schools don't get any state money.
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This year the state voted to officially change the date, moving it from the first weekend in August to the third weekend in July to allow more shoppers to take advantage of the holiday.
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Antonacci has also been a member of the Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board and worked as a deputy state attorney general.
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Hughes’ teams won five state championships: two UIL titles at Dunbar and three titles in the Prairie View Interscholastic League at Terrell during an era of racial segregation.
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The Edgewood Small Area Study is an implementation of APG's Joint Land Use Study, or JLUS, which advances the partnership between the community and the installation through resource planning and cooperative land use, the county announcement states.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'state.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of state
Middle English stat, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French estat, from Latin status, from stare to stand — more at stand
state
Definition of state
stated
;stating
transitive verb
1 : to set by regulation or authority
2 : to express the particulars of especially in words : report; broadly : to express in words
Examples of state in a Sentence
The lawyer will state the facts of the case.
He stated his name in full.
I was merely stating an opinion.
“This is a difficult situation,” he stated simply.
Please state the purpose of your visit.
I'd like to state for the record that I disagree with the board's decision.
For the reasons stated above, I hereby withdraw from the competition.
The rules clearly state that you can only draw one card.
Recent Examples of state from the Web
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In January, the council was told that the city had a $1.6-million surplus, and staff determined that $500,000 could be used for park infrastructure improvements, the report states.
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Cepeda also stated that the manager told her that the produce comes from a local vendor.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'state.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of state
1647
STATE Defined for English Language Learners
state
playDefinition of state for English Language Learners
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: a way of living or existing
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: the overall physical condition of something : the ability of something to be used, enjoyed, etc.
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: the things that affect the way you think or feel : your physical or mental condition
state
Definition of state for English Language Learners
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: to express (something) formally in speech or writing
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: to give (specific information, instructions, rules, etc.) in writing
STATE Defined for Kids
Definition of state for Students
1 : manner or condition of being Steam is water in the gaseous state. … the health inspector was rather picky about the state of the cafeteria … — Pam Zollman, Don't Bug Me!
2 : a body of people living in a certain territory under one government : the government of such a body of people
3 : one of the divisions of a nation having a federal government the United States of America
Definition of state for Students
stated
;stating
1 : to express especially in words I'm just stating my opinion.
2 : to set by rule, law, or authority The rules of the contest are stated below.
Medical Dictionary
state
playMedical Definition of state
: mode or condition of being: asa: condition of mind or temperament a manic stateb: a condition or stage in the physical being of something the gaseous state of water
Law Dictionary
state
Legal Definition of state
1a : a politically organized body of people usually occupying a definite territory; especially : one that is sovereign b : the political organization that has supreme civil authority and political power and serves as the basis of government — see also compelling state interest at interest 3a, separation of church and state c : a government or politically organized society having a particular character a police state
2 : the operations or concerns of the government of a country : the sphere of administration and supreme political power of a country (as in international relations) secrets of state affairs of state
3a : one of the constituent units of a nation having a federal government; specifically : one of the fifty such units comprising the great part of the U.S. — see also state law b : the territory of a state
Learn More about state
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See words that rhyme with state Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for state Spanish Central: Translation of state Nglish: Translation of state for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of state for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about state
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