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

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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
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 See More

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

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 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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