\ ˈstāt 
\
\Definition of state
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a : 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
2a : 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
3a : social position especially : high rank
b(1) : elaborate or luxurious style of living
(2) : formal dignity : pomp —usually used with in
4a : 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)
5a : 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
7a : 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
state
verbstated; stating
Definition of state (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : to set by regulation or authority
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Other Words from state
Verb
statable or stateable \ ˈstā-tə-bəl \ adjective
\ adjectiveSynonyms for state
Synonyms: Noun
- commonwealth,
- country,
- land,
- nation,
- sovereignty
- (also sovranty)
Synonyms: Verb
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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun In January 2020, a state appeals court ruled for OHC; the case is headed to the Ohio Supreme Court.
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Joel Oliphint, Smithsonian Magazine, "This Ohio Golf Course, Built Atop a Hopewell Earthwork, Is Now the Subject of a Lawsuit," 5 Jan. 2021 Kernodle ruled that Gohmert and other plaintiffs — including the GOP chairwoman in Arizona and that state’s defeated slate of Republican electors — lacked standing.
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Robert T. Garrett, Dallas News, "Gohmert, Dallas lawyer who sued to change election results violated ethics rules for lawyers, group says," 4 Jan. 2021 Trump’s drive to overturn the result failed, after a protracted effort that pitted him against Republican state officials.
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Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, "‘It is a cliffhanger’: Republicans worry Trump’s moves could depress turnout in Georgia Senate runoffs," 4 Jan. 2021 Pushing the state legislature to take up police reform.
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cleveland, "Ohio statewide officials list priorities for 2020: Capitol Letter," 4 Jan. 2021 Kannauj is a four-hour drive from Agra and just shy of two hours from historic Lucknow, a former princeling state governed by the Nawabs of Oudh.
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Travel, "This ancient town is the perfume capital of India," 4 Jan. 2021 The Boston Globe’s weekly Ocean State Innovators column features a Q&A with Rhode Island innovators who are starting new businesses and nonprofits, conducting groundbreaking research, and reshaping the state’s economy.
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Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "What Cheer Flower Farm blossoms on former factory site in Providence," 4 Jan. 2021 All the while, fossil fuel profits that have historically furnished state budgets the world over will have to go unrealized.
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Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, "The Bungled Vaccine Rollout Is a Bad Omen," 4 Jan. 2021 Two other former state players were at the Washington-Philadelphia game: · Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins (Athens) caught a 6-yard pass.
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Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, "State NFL roundup: Jeremy Reaves gets first pick," 4 Jan. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The program will likely be covered with either federal or state COVID-19 relief funds.
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From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, "‘Diddy’ delivers, chicken coops, New Year’s Eve restrictions: News from around our 50 states," 31 Dec. 2020 The rules state that in case a company forfeits the permit, it shall be awarded to the next highest-scoring applicants.
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Sarah Freishtat, chicagotribune.com, "Illinois Supreme Court to decide fate of last contested medical marijuana growing license in the state," 30 Dec. 2020 The status quo is upheld by politicians who turn a blind eye to yeshivas that do not adhere to state educational standards, even though the schools are ostensibly accredited and supported by public funds.
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The New Yorker, "The Mail," 21 Dec. 2020 Meanwhile, the reports, which were sent weekly to state governors up until last week, are now shared only if the governors request them, CPI reports, further adding uncertainty to the public’s future access to Florida’s reports.
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Naseem S. Miller, orlandosentinel.com, "White House COVID-19 report: Florida remains in red zone for cases," 21 Dec. 2020 And will state and local officials prioritize certain types while making others wait?
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Los Angeles Times, "Today’s Headlines: Nearing a vaccine turning point," 11 Dec. 2020 That dynamic offense was on full display as last year's Division I state runner-up took on Pope John Paul (3-2).
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Joseph Halm, NOLA.com, "Dominican volleyball team remains undefeated with win vs. Pope John Paul: 'It feels amazing'," 29 Sep. 2020 Prince of Peace is coming off a 4-6 season in TAPPS Division II, and Beaumont Kelly was the 2011 TAPPS Division I state runner-up.
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Greg Riddle, Dallas News, "From realignments to ‘League Football’ shortage, TAPPS is in for drastic changes as Dallas-area schools deal with COVID-19 fallout," 14 Sep. 2020 Extending existing unemployment programs that expand eligibility for jobless benefits and increasing the duration of those benefits, and adding a $300 weekly federal supplement to state unemployment payments for 16 weeks.
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Andrew Duehren, WSJ, "Second Stimulus Checks and Other Covid-19 Aid—What’s In, What’s Out in Relief Talks," 16 Dec. 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'state.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
Spelling Out the Pronunciation of 10...
Spelling Out the Pronunciation of 10 U.S. State Names
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Dictionary Entries near state
See More Nearby EntriesStatistics for state
Last Updated
8 Jan 2021
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“State.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/state. Accessed 15 Jan. 2021.
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More Definitions for state
state
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of state
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a way of living or existing
: the overall physical condition of something : the ability of something to be used, enjoyed, etc.
: the things that affect the way you think or feel : your physical or mental condition
state
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of state (Entry 2 of 2)
: to express (something) formally in speech or writing
: to give (specific information, instructions, rules, etc.) in writing
See the full definition for state in the English Language Learners Dictionary
state
noun\ ˈstāt \
\Kids Definition of state
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : manner or condition of being
Steam is water in the gaseous state. … the health inspector was rather picky about the state of the cafeteria …— Pam Zollman, Don't Bug Me!
2 : a body of people living in a certain territory under one government : the government of such a body of people
3 : one of the divisions of a nation having a federal government
the United States of America
state
verbstated; stating
Kids Definition of state (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : to express especially in words
I'm just stating my opinion.
2 : to set by rule, law, or authority
The rules of the contest are stated below.
state
noun\ ˈstāt \
\Medical Definition of state
: 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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Legal Definition of state
1a : a politically organized body of people usually occupying a definite territory especially : one that is sovereign
b : the political organization that has supreme civil authority and political power and serves as the basis of government — see also compelling state interest at interest sense 3a, separation of church and state
c : a government or politically organized society having a particular character
a police state
2 : the operations or concerns of the government of a country : the sphere of administration and supreme political power of a country (as in international relations)
secrets of state affairs of state
3a : one of the constituent units of a nation having a federal government specifically : one of the fifty such units comprising the great part of the U.S. — see also state law
b : the territory of a state
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Comments on state
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Time Traveler for state
The first known use of state was in the 13th century
See more words from the same century