the States

plural noun

informal
: the United States of America
My cousin from England is coming to visit me in the States.

Examples of the States in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the night’s most surprising upset, Robert Aramayo from the British indie I Swear — which doesn’t get released in the States until April and was thus ineligible for MFL consideration — won Best Actor. Joe Reid, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2026 When the idea was floated to bring a sister Montreux festival to the States, Batiste said New Orleans was on the list. Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026 The Tattle Hitchcok deal, for example, was made for a film that was available for adaptation in the States, meaning no distributor was required. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2026 Britbox previously had the broadcast rights to the BAFTAs in the States in years past. Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026 Set the scene Palm Springs has long been a retreat for those seeking a restorative weekend away from the bustle of nearby Los Angeles and, come winter when the temps dip in most places around the States, those desperate for a dose of winter sun. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026 The show is mostly known in the States for launching the career of Rachel McAdams, but it can’t be understated how incredible Goss, playing the festival’s temperamental artistic director, is in it, a fraying bundle of nerves and passion that threatens to collapse on himself at any moment. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Feb. 2026 One of the hurdles in bringing production back to the States has been a lack of skilled sewing machine operators. Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 19 Feb. 2026 Growing up as a Korean-American in the States, Halloween costumes were always not Asian. Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 17 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“The States.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20States. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.

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