state

noun, often attributive

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\ 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 Republicans in the Texas Senate took a big step toward tightening their state's election laws this weekend, prompting outcry from Democrats. — Evie Fordham, Fox News, 30 May 2021 Japan has extended its state of emergency that was set to end Monday. — CNN, 30 May 2021 Ohio Governor Mike DeWine pitching his state's vaccine lottery. — ABC News, 30 May 2021 In a post on Medium, Itzkowitz says that the federal government spends about $1.9 billion on aid and grants to schools at which the majority of its students earn less than an average high school graduate in their state. — Derek Newton, Forbes, 29 May 2021 The next day, all the poison that Patrick has injected in our state’s politics spilled out on the House floor. — Gilbert Garcia, San Antonio Express-News, 29 May 2021 President Joe Biden, who is in his home state of Delaware for the weekend, will attend the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs' annual Memorial Day ceremony Sunday morning at War Memorial Plaza near New Castle, the White House said Friday. — Editors, USA TODAY, 29 May 2021 While Geiger was contacted by schools such as Nebraska, Hawaii, Penn State and Mississippi State upon entering the NCAA transfer this week, the Fort Worth native went into the portal in order to get back to his home state of Texas. — Matt Zenitz | Mzenitz@al.com, al, 29 May 2021 Never Rarely Sometimes Always (decidedly not a comedy), both about teenage girls seeking abortions and unable to get them in their home state. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 28 May 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Gethers gets to state: Merrillville won the regional team title with 86 points, well ahead of runner-up Lake Central’s 56. — Dave Melton, chicagotribune.com, 28 May 2021 Zaslav wouldn’t state his plans for streaming—whether HBO Max and Discovery+ will combine, stay completely separate, or get bundled together for at one price. — Adam Epstein, Quartz, 18 May 2021 The program's procedures do not state that entrances and exits of the store should be closed during a missing child situation. — Mckenzie Sadeghi, USA TODAY, 13 May 2021 The letter from Scott does not state whether the city would fund the panel. — Emily Opilo, baltimoresun.com, 12 May 2021 An earlier version did not state that Arts Cleveland and the Arts and Culture Action Committee will be replaced by new organizations that carry on their respective roles under the umbrella of the Assembly. — Steven Litt, cleveland, 10 May 2021 The release did not state what day the distribution of aid began. — Jessie Yeung, CNN, 5 May 2021 The report also did not state whether Iran’s regime illegally obtained technology and equipment for its nuclear program. — Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, 4 May 2021 The report does state the study limitations of it being a small preprint study including only those who had already tested positive for Covid-19; also, the South Africa strain is far from dominant in Israel. — Rodney Rohde, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2021

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