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upstate

noun

up·​state ˈəp-ˌstāt How to pronounce upstate (audio)
: the chiefly northerly sections of a state
also : the chiefly rural part of a state when the major metropolitan area is in the south
upstate adverb or adjective
upstater noun

Examples of upstate 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.
Vanyo rejected the comparison between upstate and downstate school districts. Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 29 Nov. 2025 Parts of upstate New York were experiencing powerful winds on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025 Most areas will receive only a dusting, but parts of upstate New York could get up to 1 to 2 inches. Christine Rapp, NBC news, 23 Nov. 2025 In the constantly evolving landscape of the Hudson Valley, there’s always a new reason to make the trip upstate. Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 18 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for upstate

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of upstate was in 1901

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Upstate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upstate. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

upstate

adjective
up·​state ˈəp-ˌstāt How to pronounce upstate (audio)
: of, relating to, or typical of a part of a state away from a large city and especially to the north
upstate noun or adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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