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
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
Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
When beneficiaries will feel the impact varies, since states typically provide the benefits on a rolling basis during the month.
—Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Grokipedia accurately states that as of October 2025, Wikipedia had more than 7 million articles in English, in the main entry about its older rival.
—NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for state
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.
Noun
States, and now nonstate actors, have been engaging in wars of various kinds almost constantly since World War II.
—Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
When beneficiaries will feel the impact varies, since states typically provide the benefits on a rolling basis during the month.
—Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
The news came amid officials stating that a coroner found inconsistencies in her death, though discrepancies were not reported in 2018, and no autopsy was performed.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Grokipedia accurately states that as of October 2025, Wikipedia had more than 7 million articles in English, in the main entry about its older rival.
—NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for state
Cite this Entry
“State.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/state. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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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