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
Back in the States, a brutal car ride over a wintery, bumpy road awaited her.
—
Lindsay Schnell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Thus, this question might not be in your wheelhouse, but there’s been ongoing talk about the need to ramp up production in the States, especially California.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026
Over the past year, British rappers have captivated young listeners in the States.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2026
Charlie, home to care for his ailing father after having emigrated to the States some years before, is likewise underdeveloped beyond that circumstantial detail.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
Joy Dunne scored off an assist from Tessa Janecke to put the States up 2-0.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
Still, India would also be keen to not scupper its rapprochement with the States after months of trade tensions.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
Well, the one time anybody in the States thinks about Canada or used to be.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Despite the recent overheated rhetoric and both real and apparent rifts and shifts between the States and Europe, the routine fashion-weeks encampments of the makers and their clients from all walks of life exhibit a rock-solid stability.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
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.
Lindsay Schnell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Thus, this question might not be in your wheelhouse, but there’s been ongoing talk about the need to ramp up production in the States, especially California.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026
Over the past year, British rappers have captivated young listeners in the States.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2026
Charlie, home to care for his ailing father after having emigrated to the States some years before, is likewise underdeveloped beyond that circumstantial detail.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
Joy Dunne scored off an assist from Tessa Janecke to put the States up 2-0.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
Still, India would also be keen to not scupper its rapprochement with the States after months of trade tensions.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
Well, the one time anybody in the States thinks about Canada or used to be.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Despite the recent overheated rhetoric and both real and apparent rifts and shifts between the States and Europe, the routine fashion-weeks encampments of the makers and their clients from all walks of life exhibit a rock-solid stability.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“The States.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20States. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
