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
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
Examples of state in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Courier-Journal, 10 Apr. 2024
Selecting a vice presidential candidate is a key part of the process of making the ballot in many states.
—Benjamin Oreskes, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Last month, the IRS and Treasury Department partnered on the launch the Direct File Pilot Program, which provides an option for taxpayers in 12 states to file basic income tax returns directly with the IRS rather than through an alternative online service.
—Selena Kuznikov, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024
Banning kids from accessing social media—as many U.S. states have legislated to do—is one thing, as is controlling usage within the school environment.
—David Meyer, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
Every aspect of American hegemony—politics, culture, scholarship, the security state—shares the same face.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
Cultivating a culture of trust requires leaders to recognize and relate to the emotional states among their teams.
—Dr. Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
As tension bubbled, Zelaya armed himself with Corona beer bottles, the reports state.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
Oh Joon, former South Korean ambassador to the United Nations, said in an interview that even though the panel is being dissolved, each member state will still be able to report violations to the Security Council because the U.N. sanctions remain in effect.
—Min Joo Kim, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2024
Another minor that was in the vehicle with Kelley was injured, the report stated.
—Remington Miller, arkansasonline.com, 23 Apr. 2024
The two-minute report stated James extended his forearm and initiated contact with Murray’s front, which affected his drive to the basket.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2024
The researchers state in the NIEER press release that preschool can improve kindergarten readiness, laying the foundation for later education as well.
—Alexandra Frost, Parents, 23 Apr. 2024
His mother Mariah is also awake, the GoFundMe stated.
—Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 22 Apr. 2024
The filing also stated that the company has access to more than $2 billion in assets through their parent company.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2024
The acquisition could have a negative impact on the millions of American shoppers who now benefit from the head-to-head rivalry between Tapestry and Capri, as well as on the roughly 33,000 workers employed by both companies worldwide, the FTC stated.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2024
Workers rallied in support of safer working conditions, full-time employment and a living wage, as stated by organizers.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 21 Apr. 2024
Noun
This year, Broods XIX and XIII will appear in 17 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Virginia.
—The Courier-Journal, 10 Apr. 2024
Selecting a vice presidential candidate is a key part of the process of making the ballot in many states.
—Benjamin Oreskes, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Last month, the IRS and Treasury Department partnered on the launch the Direct File Pilot Program, which provides an option for taxpayers in 12 states to file basic income tax returns directly with the IRS rather than through an alternative online service.
—Selena Kuznikov, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024
Banning kids from accessing social media—as many U.S. states have legislated to do—is one thing, as is controlling usage within the school environment.
—David Meyer, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
Every aspect of American hegemony—politics, culture, scholarship, the security state—shares the same face.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
Cultivating a culture of trust requires leaders to recognize and relate to the emotional states among their teams.
—Dr. Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
As tension bubbled, Zelaya armed himself with Corona beer bottles, the reports state.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
Oh Joon, former South Korean ambassador to the United Nations, said in an interview that even though the panel is being dissolved, each member state will still be able to report violations to the Security Council because the U.N. sanctions remain in effect.
—Min Joo Kim, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Verb
The newspaper also states that Donald Trump, who's a 1968 Wharton graduate himself, attended the University of Pennsylvania's commencement ceremony the following day with his ex-wife.
—Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2024
Another minor that was in the vehicle with Kelley was injured, the report stated.
—Remington Miller, arkansasonline.com, 23 Apr. 2024
The two-minute report stated James extended his forearm and initiated contact with Murray’s front, which affected his drive to the basket.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2024
The researchers state in the NIEER press release that preschool can improve kindergarten readiness, laying the foundation for later education as well.
—Alexandra Frost, Parents, 23 Apr. 2024
His mother Mariah is also awake, the GoFundMe stated.
—Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 22 Apr. 2024
The filing also stated that the company has access to more than $2 billion in assets through their parent company.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2024
The acquisition could have a negative impact on the millions of American shoppers who now benefit from the head-to-head rivalry between Tapestry and Capri, as well as on the roughly 33,000 workers employed by both companies worldwide, the FTC stated.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2024
Workers rallied in support of safer working conditions, full-time employment and a living wage, as stated by organizers.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 21 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'state.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near state
Cite this Entry
“State.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/state. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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