state

1 of 2

noun

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

state

2 of 2

verb

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 adjective
or stateable

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
David Weintraub Oakland Supreme Court ruling tramples states’ rights The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision keeping Trump on the Colorado ballot is so wrong. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024 Since last year, a state commission in Kentucky, created and overseen by the state’s attorney general, Russell Coleman, a Republican, has been considering whether to spend $42 million of $800 million in opioid settlement funds on ibogaine research. Andrew Jacobs, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 The tour winds on through the southwest and Southern states before wrapping up its U.S. leg in Austin on April 15. Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2024 North Dakota is the only state without voter registration. Jack Dura, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2024 The collapse of the fiat money system and the accompanying welfare-warfare state also provide an opportunity for those of us who understand the truth to build a society based around the principles of liberty. Ron Paul, Orange County Register, 5 Mar. 2024 At the Florida public school that has become the epicenter of that state’s outbreak, the vaccination rate was lower than 90%. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Should Ducharme comply with the terms of the agreement — including not violating state, federal or local laws and not working in the financial services field — prosecutors agree to dismiss the case. Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2024 Negotiators include a mix of borrowers, consumer and civil rights advocates, state officials, attorneys general, college representatives and student loan company experts. Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024
Verb
Clocks were briefly pushed forward as a global attempt to save energy during World War I, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health stated. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024 The woman suffers from mental illness, the lawsuit states. Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024 Hwang, in an email to The Enquirer, stated Denise D'Angelo Steele and Julie Liskany, members of the South-Western City School board in Grove City have endorsed him. Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 5 Mar. 2024 The bill, filed by Sen. Jill Carter, a Granby Republican, states that no individual can be found civilly liable for damages for conduct found to be justified under state law. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2024 That vote came after the council made a proclamation at the start of the meeting stating the city’s support for peace in the Middle East, acknowledging the historical complexities in the region and advocating for a hate-free community locally. Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 Here's what to know about Super Tuesday and when Wisconsin holds its presidential primary: Which states vote on Super Tuesday? Journal Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2024 The 3:1 ratio in favor of mobile phones will sustain the demand for short videos and social commerce, the report states. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Mar. 2024 The rule states backstrokers must enter feet first. Matias Grez, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024

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

Dictionary Entries Near state

Cite this Entry

“State.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/state. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

state

1 of 3 noun
1
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
-ləs
adjective

state

2 of 3 adjective
1
: 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

noun
often 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

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