state

noun, often attributive

\ ˈstāt

Definition of state

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

2a : 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

3a : social position especially : high rank

b(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 sense 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)

5a : 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

7a : 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

state

verb

stated; stating

Definition of state (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to set by regulation or authority

2 : to express the particulars of especially in words : report broadly : to express in words

Other Words from state Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about state

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Examples of state in a Sentence

Noun

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

Verb

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 on the Web: Noun

Lucas had confessed to committing 600 murders in more than 20 states in the 1980s, but was only sentenced to death for the Orange Socks slaying. — Fox News, "New sketch released of 'Orange Socks' cold case victim in Texas," 1 July 2019 Today, the Bravo couple will cement their union in holy matrimony in Brittany's home state of Kentucky at The Kentucky Castle in Versailles, KT. — refinery29.com, "Here's How Much Jax Taylor & Brittany Cartwright Are Worth," 30 June 2019 For Tan, the branches of government, as well as the government and the people, are in a constant state of tug-of-war. — Madeline Mcgee, Anchorage Daily News, "Dunleavy vetoes $335,000 from Alaska judiciary budget over court’s abortion decisions," 30 June 2019 Still, the end of the out-of-state transfers marks an important moment. — John Myers, latimes.com, "California ends its long, costly shift of prisoners to other states," 30 June 2019 And polling conducted earlier this year for the Center for American Progress found that climate change ranks as the top issue alongside health care in early voting states. — Justin Worland, Time, "The Debates Showed America Still Doesn't Know How to Talk About Climate Change," 29 June 2019 Its basin is in 10 states -- Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. — Susan Scutti, CNN, "With any Midwestern rainfall this summer, the Missouri River could flood the lower basin region," 28 June 2019 Following the passage of Texas House Bill 3, a bill promising adjustments to both school finance and property taxes across the state, Cy-Fair ISD has adopted a budget for the 2019-2020 school year that includes raises for teachers. — Chevall Pryce, Houston Chronicle, "Cy-Fair ISD new budget includes teacher raises, lower proposed tax rate," 28 June 2019 As in other states, West Virginia's lawmakers designed the free tuition program to give their local economy a boost. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, "In West Virginia, free college -- after students pass a drug test," 28 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Officer Quimby arrived at 0913 hours and met with the victim who stated his vehicle was burglarized sometime between 2 p.m. June 18 and 7:30 a.m. June 19. — Houston Chronicle, "Bellaire Police Department weekly report," 1 July 2019 At the internal revenue office today it was stated the San Diego saloon tax by the government amounted to only $2000 a year, while the brewery stamps amounted to about $9000 a month. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "From the Archives: Prohibition closed 55 saloons in San Diego 100 years ago today," 30 June 2019 News of interest in the 20-year-old comes courtesy of The Sun, who state the Danish international's breakthrough season at the club has attracted the attention of the English sides. — SI.com, "Jacob Bruun Larsen Targeted by Premier League Trio as Race for Borussia Dortmund Winger Heats Up," 30 June 2019 The case, which will go back to the district court, could play a critical role in the battle between the Trump administration and states over the supervision of federal student loan servicers. — The Washington Post, The Mercury News, "Court rules student loan companies are subject to state consumer laws, contrary to Trump administration’s stance," 29 June 2019 Qatar is the host of the next men’s World Cup, but its stated commitment in its World Cup bid to women’s empowerment through sports has done nothing to reform the discriminatory laws that keep women effective second-class citizens. — Minky Worden, Quartz, "Women soccer players’ biggest challenge is changing FIFA itself," 28 June 2019 After Tiger backed into a fire hydrant 10 years ago then watched his personal life collapse and his health deteriorate, a friend stated that Tiger would never win another major. — Jay Brinker, Cincinnati.com, "Guest TML: The midseason awards for 2019 Bengals, Reds, UC, FC Cincinnati, Tiger Woods," 28 June 2019 If the arbitrator sustains the police chief’s decision, Ayars has the right to appeal to state District Court. — Emilie Eaton, ExpressNews.com, "The morning of alleged assault, fired San Antonio police officer was worried about his job," 27 June 2019 Crayton noted the district’s discipline manual now explicitly states a child cannot be expelled from school for disrespect or willful disobedience, uniform violations or as a result of multiple suspensions. — nola.com, "New Orleans schools seek better discipline process as expulsions drop but suspensions rise," 27 June 2019

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.

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More Definitions for state

state

noun

English Language Learners Definition of state

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

English Language Learners Definition of state (Entry 2 of 2)

: to express (something) formally in speech or writing

: to give (specific information, instructions, rules, etc.) in writing

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

state

noun

\ ˈstāt

Kids Definition of state

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

stated; stating

Kids Definition of state (Entry 2 of 2)

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.

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

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state

noun, often attributive

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 sense 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