often attributive
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 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)
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
stated; stating
1
: to set by regulation or authority
2
: to express the particulars of especially in words : report
broadly
: to express in words
Synonyms
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Nov. 2023
The active recall of the affected cantaloupes, which has affected people in 32 states so far, was first issued on Nov. 17.
—Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 25 Nov. 2023
The number of chases across Texas has gone up sharply starting in 2021, when Gov. Greg Abbott began a program known as Operation Lone Star and sent thousands of state police officers to patrol the area around the border.
—J. David Goodman Verónica G. Cárdenas, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2023
In an emotional scene on the day of her state funeral in September 2022, Sandy and Muick were brought out to watch the arrival of the Queen’s coffin to Windsor Castle ahead of the committal service at St. George’s Chapel.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
This jelly treatment is infused with squalene and Japanese peach to bring your lips back to a supple, hydrated state.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 24 Nov. 2023
The 10 other states that ban chickens packed in cages — ranging from California to Utah to Rhode Island — represent a small portion of the nation’s egg producers, even though by 2026, nearly 25 percent of the U.S. population will live in states with such bans, according to USDA projections.
—Erin Cox, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023
Their focus will continue to be on the fight in Montana and Ohio while also flipping seats in five presidential battleground states: Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
—Isabella Murray, ABC News, 24 Nov. 2023
By some estimates, this pollution episode reduces Delhi’s gross state product by 1%.
—Nives Dolsak and Aseem Prakash, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Stepheny Price, Fox News, 26 Nov. 2023
And Israel has openly stated that its goal is to take out Hamas and Hamas' control of Gaza.
—Nbc Universal, NBC News, 26 Nov. 2023
In addition to granting Palmer temporary sole physical and legal custody of Leo, the temporary restraining order states that Jackson is not allowed to have visitation with his son, with a hearing set for Dec. 5 to determine further action on the temporary arrangement.
—Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
The Californian’s own story on the appellate decision states the newspaper will not pursue an appeal at the California Supreme Court because the case would be unlikely to be reviewed and because of the outsize expense.
—Jeremy Childs, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2023
The lawsuit states that the winner is seeking an injunction from a judge and at least $100,000 in damages.
—CBS News, 22 Nov. 2023
The Israeli government and multiple Israeli officials have stated publicly that after the brief pause, the Israeli military will continue the war in Gaza.
—Victoria Beaule, ABC News, 22 Nov. 2023
When reached by Pitchfork, Alan S. Gutman, an attorney for Axl Rose, stated:
Simply put, this incident never happened.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 22 Nov. 2023
In a press release issued on Sunday, the 33rd Fighter Wing Public Affairs office stated that Brown, 34, served as an instructor pilot for the 58th Fighter Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 14 Nov. 2023
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Noun
No lesser standard, given the current state of the franchise, is acceptable.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Nov. 2023
The active recall of the affected cantaloupes, which has affected people in 32 states so far, was first issued on Nov. 17.
—Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 25 Nov. 2023
The number of chases across Texas has gone up sharply starting in 2021, when Gov. Greg Abbott began a program known as Operation Lone Star and sent thousands of state police officers to patrol the area around the border.
—J. David Goodman Verónica G. Cárdenas, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2023
In an emotional scene on the day of her state funeral in September 2022, Sandy and Muick were brought out to watch the arrival of the Queen’s coffin to Windsor Castle ahead of the committal service at St. George’s Chapel.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
This jelly treatment is infused with squalene and Japanese peach to bring your lips back to a supple, hydrated state.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 24 Nov. 2023
The 10 other states that ban chickens packed in cages — ranging from California to Utah to Rhode Island — represent a small portion of the nation’s egg producers, even though by 2026, nearly 25 percent of the U.S. population will live in states with such bans, according to USDA projections.
—Erin Cox, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023
Their focus will continue to be on the fight in Montana and Ohio while also flipping seats in five presidential battleground states: Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
—Isabella Murray, ABC News, 24 Nov. 2023
By some estimates, this pollution episode reduces Delhi’s gross state product by 1%.
—Nives Dolsak and Aseem Prakash, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Verb
Officials stated that both men died at the scene after Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies responded to a call of shots fired in the area.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 26 Nov. 2023
And Israel has openly stated that its goal is to take out Hamas and Hamas' control of Gaza.
—Nbc Universal, NBC News, 26 Nov. 2023
In addition to granting Palmer temporary sole physical and legal custody of Leo, the temporary restraining order states that Jackson is not allowed to have visitation with his son, with a hearing set for Dec. 5 to determine further action on the temporary arrangement.
—Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
The Californian’s own story on the appellate decision states the newspaper will not pursue an appeal at the California Supreme Court because the case would be unlikely to be reviewed and because of the outsize expense.
—Jeremy Childs, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2023
The lawsuit states that the winner is seeking an injunction from a judge and at least $100,000 in damages.
—CBS News, 22 Nov. 2023
The Israeli government and multiple Israeli officials have stated publicly that after the brief pause, the Israeli military will continue the war in Gaza.
—Victoria Beaule, ABC News, 22 Nov. 2023
When reached by Pitchfork, Alan S. Gutman, an attorney for Axl Rose, stated:
Simply put, this incident never happened.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 22 Nov. 2023
In a press release issued on Sunday, the 33rd Fighter Wing Public Affairs office stated that Brown, 34, served as an instructor pilot for the 58th Fighter Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 14 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'state.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English stat, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French estat, from Latin status, from stare to stand — more at stand
First Known Use
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of state was
in the 13th century
Phrases Containing state
Dictionary Entries Near state
Cite this Entry
“State.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/state. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
state
1 of 3 noun1
a
: manner or condition of being
a state of readiness
b
: condition of mind or disposition
in a highly nervous state
2
a
: a condition or stage of the physical makeup of something
water in the gaseous state
b
: a stage in the growth or development of a plant or animal
the larval state
3
a
: a politically organized body of people usually occupying a definite territory
b
: the political organization of such a body of people
4
: one of the units of a nation having a federal government
the United States of America
5
: the territory of a state
stateless
adjective
-ləs
state
2 of 3 adjective1
: suitable or used for ceremonies or official occasions
state robes
2
: of or relating to a national state or to one state of a federal government
a state church
a state legislature
3
: of or relating to the government : governmental
state secrets
state
3 of 3 verb
stated; stating
1
: to set by regulation or authority
the law stated times for inspection
2
: to express in words
state an opinion
Medical Definition
state
noun
: 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
Legal Definition
state
nounoften attributive
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 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
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
More from Merriam-Webster on 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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