state

noun, often attributive \ ˈstāt \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 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 Houston Chronicle reports that the application submitted to the state by Southwest Key Programs requests a license to hold up to 240 children.

— CBS News, "Houston warehouse eyed as new shelter for immigrant children," 16 June 2018
Formerly puzzling telescope observations about real galaxies that raised questions about the standard dark matter hypothesis are being explained in the state-of-the-art facsimiles.

— natalie wolchover, WIRED, "The Universe Is Not a Simulation, but We Can Now Simulate It," 16 June 2018
Today, Fort Yukon is the largest Athabascan village in the state.

— scott mcmurren, Anchorage Daily News, "Curious about Nome, Wiseman and Fort Yukon? Here are your guides," 16 June 2018
All but six of the European Union’s 28 members states are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which has guaranteed their security for decades.

— tania rabesandratana, Science | AAAS, "European Union, worried about rising tensions, plans to boost military research," 15 June 2018
According to data from the CDC, the states that have been hit the hardest so far from this salmonella outbreak are California, Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts.

— devon elizabeth, SELF, "Kellogg's Honey Smacks Recalled for Possible Salmonella Contamination," 15 June 2018
According to the lawsuit, more than 1,000 people died of overdoses in the state in 2016.

— natasha bach, Fortune, "Why Kentucky Is Suing Walgreens Over the Opioid Crisis," 15 June 2018
With the waning production, the industry has seen its influence drop in terms of economic contributions to the state.

— OrlandoSentinel.com, "Florida citrus growers endure worst season in decades," 14 June 2018
The natural gas boom has been good to the state of Texas.

— henry gass, The Christian Science Monitor, "Despite natural gas boom, this Texas town is going 100% renewable," 14 June 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

While some members of the group worked together to put their body weight on the car’s trunk, others tethered the Mazda to Myers’ truck, the release stated.

— john tufts, USA TODAY, "‘Heroes’ rush to save mom and children as car dangles from highway embankment," 1 June 2018
Earlier this month, Entertainment Weekly confirmed a report from The Hollywood Reporter that stated Fox and its studio partner Warner Bros. TV were searching for a new actor to play Riggs if the series was renewed for a third season.

— karen mizoguchi, PEOPLE.com, "Clayne Crawford Calls Damon Wayans the 'Biggest Crybaby P----' in Explicit Lethal Weapon Dispute," 1 June 2018
The Ministry stated the launches were the first salvo fire from the new Borei-class submarines.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Russian Sub Unleashes Four Nuclear Missiles in Less Than 20 Seconds," 24 May 2018
Police were called to Growlers, 2816 Highway Ave., around 2:39 a.m. for a disturbance call, a release from the Highland Police Department stated.

— michelle l. quinn, Post-Tribune, "Two men shot in parking lot outside Highland bar, police say," 19 May 2018
See, Prince Harry is a Captain in the British Royal Army (aka Her Majesty's Army), and there's a longstanding rule in the British military that states troops in uniform cannot have facial hair.

— sophia panych, Allure, "Prince Harry Did Not Shave His Beard For the Royal Wedding," 19 May 2018
The report states clearly that impeachable offenses do not necessarily have to be crimes.

— jeffrey toobin, The New Yorker, "Will the Fervor for Impeachment Start a Democratic Civil War?," 19 May 2018
Visit the Donate: 60 Facebook group to help contribute to the 60-second speech that will state your generation's demands.

— alison caporimo, Seventeen, "Students Are Trying To Make This Graduation Speech Go Viral For The Best Reason," 16 May 2018
Bobcats and coyotes are known to frequent the area, which is full of natural vegetation and seldom used by hikers, the report stated.

— joseph serna, www.latimes.com, "Mountain lions are being killed on freeways and weakened by inbreeding. Researchers have a solution," 16 May 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