state

noun, often attributive \ ˈstāt \

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

Examples: state in a Sentence

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 states 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 States plural : The United States of America

8 : the territory of a state

See state defined for English-language learners

See state defined for kids

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

The appeal argues, as did the initial failed lawsuit, that, by using the SDSU name, Friends of SDSU violated state election law and education code.

— jennifer van grove, sandiegouniontribune.com, "SoccerCity continues legal action against SDSU West," 13 July 2018
Rosenstein said the hacking of a state election board led to the theft of information from about 500,000 American voters, CNBC reported.

— jewel wicker, Teen Vogue, "12 Russians Are Charged With Conspiring to Hack the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election," 13 July 2018
If not, contact the psychological association in your state about a referral to a therapist who specializes in patients with adult attention deficit disorder.

— Houston Chronicle, "Hard-working college student strives to be more organized," 13 July 2018
Clearly the state election laws need much fine tuning.

— The Aegis, "Hard look needed at election problems in Maryland [Editorial]," 12 July 2018
The alliance, which sees an attack on one member as an attack on all, was set up at the height of the Cold War, as a counterbalance to the Warsaw Pact between the Soviets and their satellite states.

— david meyer, Fortune, "President Trump Reportedly Threatened to Pull the U.S. Out of NATO," 12 July 2018
Want to know where your retirement destination state ranked?

— dalvin brown, USA TODAY, "Which state ranks best overall for retirement? South Dakota tops Bankrate.com list," 12 July 2018
Truly, Thursday night was a showcase of Rhodes at his best in his home state in front of his people.

— fletcher page, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville native Ben Rhodes takes NASCAR victory at Kentucky Speedway," 12 July 2018
Seeing the way my state’s government is colluding with the fossil-fuel industry to build new fossil-fuel plants, cutting down our forest, and destroying the habitats of some of the area’s most magical species sickens me.

— andrea stanley, Seventeen, "I'm Suing My State for a Cleaner Environment and Here's Why You Should Too," 11 July 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

state Synonyms

Synonyms

class, dignity, fashion, quality, rank, standing;

Near Antonyms

debasement, degradation;

subordinateness, subordination;

baseness, commonness, inferiority, lowliness, lowness;

grandness, highness, loftiness;

distinction, dominance, precedence, preeminence, primacy, superiority;

caste, station, status;

preferment;

state

verb

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

—

statable

or stateable play \ˈstā-tə-bəl\ adjective

See state defined for English-language learners

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

The report states that while the agency had committed to updating its Caribbean Response Plan before the 2017 season, the plan was incomplete by the time the hurricane hit, forcing the response operation to devise portions of the agenda on the fly.

— laignee barron, Time, "FEMA Says It Was Significantly Unprepared When Hurricane Maria Hit Puerto Rico," 13 July 2018
The police report states that Daniels, while topless and wearing a G-string, allegedly put both of her hands on an officer's buttocks, placed both hands on an officer's breast, and then put her breasts in an officer's face.

— author: samantha schmidt, Anchorage Daily News, "Stormy Daniels arrested at an Ohio strip club for touching patrons, police say," 12 July 2018
The process decreases the chance of bacterial growth in the water distribution system, the report states.

— michael livingston, latimes.com, "Water quality report offers solutions to inconvenient troubles," 11 July 2018
The girlfriend warned officers that Hilton had threatened suicide and had guns in the southwest Huntersville house, the report states.

— jane wester, charlotteobserver, "NC cops thought a man shot at them. Investigators say something else happened.," 11 July 2018
While much of the outrage has been focused on the separation of families and the conditions for young children, a new Buzzfeed News report states that circumstances for pregnant women can be just as disturbing.

— abby gardner, Glamour, "Pregnant Women Say They Are Being Shackled and Denied Medical Attention in Immigration Detention Centers," 10 July 2018
Jobs are huge in the electric power generation and fuel technologies, the report stated.

— valerie sweeten, Houston Chronicle, "Education, training crucial to energy industry success," 8 July 2018
Utility’s highest past due trade payment was $15,000, the report stated, compared to Axon’s $100,000.

— jasper scherer, San Antonio Express-News, "Bexar County releases new body camera bid request with broader specs," 6 July 2018
The report states the dog was eventually subdued and tranquilized.

— cain buchmeier, Post-Tribune, "Pit bull euthanized after attacking vet assistant, police say — same animal injured 8-year-old weeks earlier," 5 July 2018

First Known Use of state

1647

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

state Synonyms

Phrases

give air to, put forth;

STATE Defined for English Language Learners

state

noun

Definition of state for English Language Learners

: a way of living or existing
: the overall physical condition of something : the ability of something to be used, enjoyed, etc.
: the things that affect the way you think or feel : your physical or mental condition

state

verb

Definition of state for English Language Learners

: to express (something) formally in speech or writing
: to give (specific information, instructions, rules, etc.) in writing

STATE Defined for Kids

state

noun \ ˈstāt \

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

state

verb

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

noun \ ˈstāt \

medical Definition of state

: mode or condition of being: as

a : condition of mind or temperament

a manic state

b : a condition or stage in the physical being of something

the gaseous state of water

Law Dictionary

state

noun, often attributive

legal Definition of state

1 a : 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

3 a : 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