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TAKE THE QUIZoften 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
Example Sentences
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
Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press, 2 Mar. 2023
In the wake of the law enforcement action, federal and state health authorities are working to make sure patients can continue to get therapy and medication treatment for opioid use disorder in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
—Brian Amaral, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Mar. 2023
Chinese government and state-owned enterprise officials must go through an audit looking for signs of malfeasance before being allowed to leave their posts.
—Keith Zhai, WSJ, 2 Mar. 2023
Since 2013, state and federal records show that the city has accumulated $982,160 in initial fines for workplace violations.
—Emily Goodykoontz, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Mar. 2023
Both Washington state and federal laws prohibit insurers and providers from billing patients for out-of-network charges in emergency situations.
—Kaiser Health News, oregonlive, 2 Mar. 2023
Oriadha’s bill, which will be in effect for a year, excludes affordable housing units with federal, state or local subsidies along with dwelling units that received an occupancy permit in the past five years.
—Lateshia Beachum, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2023
The Giannis Effect:Milwaukee Bucks superstar has had a unifying impact on city, state and beyond in his 10 seasons More:Giannis Antetokounmpo was drafted out of nowhere 10 years ago.
—Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2023
Check AllTrails for more wheelchair-friendly trails, and contact state and national parks for the most up-to-date information on accessible experiences.
—Sunny Fitzgerald, Travel + Leisure, 1 Mar. 2023
Rebecca Suhrawardi, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023
There’s been a spike in inquiries to state gambling-addiction hotlines, states say.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 10 Feb. 2023
Last year, Amplify agreed to plead no contest to state environmental charges and pay $4.9 million in fines and penalties in the aftermath of the spill.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2023
The new rules follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidelines for physical evaluation forms for student-athletes, which state that a medical eligibility form is the only one that needs to be shared with schools.
—Julianne Mcshane, NBC News, 9 Feb. 2023
The White Helmets state their values include a commitment to save people on either side of the conflict.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 9 Feb. 2023
Court filings state that as recently as Jan. 10, county auditors have continued to provide reports to the company stating that stores are misaligning shelf prices and prices at the checkout counter.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 9 Feb. 2023
Atkins was elected to state Senate District 39 in 2016, and was elected to lead the body in 2018.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2023
Center Grove coach Eric Moore confirmed the Trojans will play St. Edward, the Division I state champions (largest class) in Ohio in 2021 and ’22, in the season-opening game Aug. 19 at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon, Ohio.
—The Indianapolis Star, 6 Feb. 2023
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Noun
And Whitmer's February budget proposes slashing the sales tax on purchases of new electric vehicles and spending $55 million to electrify state and local government vehicle fleets.
—Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press, 2 Mar. 2023
In the wake of the law enforcement action, federal and state health authorities are working to make sure patients can continue to get therapy and medication treatment for opioid use disorder in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
—Brian Amaral, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Mar. 2023
Chinese government and state-owned enterprise officials must go through an audit looking for signs of malfeasance before being allowed to leave their posts.
—Keith Zhai, WSJ, 2 Mar. 2023
Since 2013, state and federal records show that the city has accumulated $982,160 in initial fines for workplace violations.
—Emily Goodykoontz, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Mar. 2023
Both Washington state and federal laws prohibit insurers and providers from billing patients for out-of-network charges in emergency situations.
—Kaiser Health News, oregonlive, 2 Mar. 2023
Oriadha’s bill, which will be in effect for a year, excludes affordable housing units with federal, state or local subsidies along with dwelling units that received an occupancy permit in the past five years.
—Lateshia Beachum, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2023
The Giannis Effect:Milwaukee Bucks superstar has had a unifying impact on city, state and beyond in his 10 seasons More:Giannis Antetokounmpo was drafted out of nowhere 10 years ago.
—Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2023
Check AllTrails for more wheelchair-friendly trails, and contact state and national parks for the most up-to-date information on accessible experiences.
—Sunny Fitzgerald, Travel + Leisure, 1 Mar. 2023
Verb
Most invisible labor still falls upon women according to The United Nations, who state that women complete three out of every four hours of invisible labor.
—Rebecca Suhrawardi, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023
There’s been a spike in inquiries to state gambling-addiction hotlines, states say.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 10 Feb. 2023
Last year, Amplify agreed to plead no contest to state environmental charges and pay $4.9 million in fines and penalties in the aftermath of the spill.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2023
The new rules follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidelines for physical evaluation forms for student-athletes, which state that a medical eligibility form is the only one that needs to be shared with schools.
—Julianne Mcshane, NBC News, 9 Feb. 2023
The White Helmets state their values include a commitment to save people on either side of the conflict.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 9 Feb. 2023
Court filings state that as recently as Jan. 10, county auditors have continued to provide reports to the company stating that stores are misaligning shelf prices and prices at the checkout counter.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 9 Feb. 2023
Atkins was elected to state Senate District 39 in 2016, and was elected to lead the body in 2018.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2023
Center Grove coach Eric Moore confirmed the Trojans will play St. Edward, the Division I state champions (largest class) in Ohio in 2021 and ’22, in the season-opening game Aug. 19 at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon, Ohio.
—The Indianapolis Star, 6 Feb. 2023
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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.
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 28 Mar. 2023.
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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