state

1 of 2

noun

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

state

2 of 2

verb

stated; stating

transitive verb

1
: to set by regulation or authority
2
: to express the particulars of especially in words : report
broadly : to express in words
statable adjective
or stateable

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
Noun
The measure would increase the number of detention beds and provide more than $1 billion for states and communities that assist migrants. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2024 And both states have already received substantial attention, especially from the Democrats. Benjamin Oreskes, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2024 The week ahead Tuesday Several states are holding primary elections, including Arizona, Florida and Illinois. Faith Karimi, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024 Invest in Our Land is showcasing producers from Arkansas and nine other states amid ongoing discussions regarding the... Alex Thomas, arkansasonline.com, 17 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile states are responsible for regulating their own insurance markets, to avert situations where insurers can exploit vulnerabilities in the market and raise rates unreasonably. Amy Green, WIRED, 16 Mar. 2024 David Weintraub Oakland Supreme Court ruling tramples states’ rights The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision keeping Trump on the Colorado ballot is so wrong. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024 Since last year, a state commission in Kentucky, created and overseen by the state’s attorney general, Russell Coleman, a Republican, has been considering whether to spend $42 million of $800 million in opioid settlement funds on ibogaine research. Andrew Jacobs, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 The tour winds on through the southwest and Southern states before wrapping up its U.S. leg in Austin on April 15. Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2024
Verb
Higher home values along with income barriers for renters likely have contributed to the city's lower homeownership rates, the study stated. The Courier-Journal, 18 Mar. 2024 Since 2010, emissions have dipped just 11.5% below those of 1990, the report states. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024 The resignation would've taken effect at 6 a.m. Sunday, but the post stated that staff members would be back for duty as of that morning. Aaron Valdez, The Enquirer, 17 Mar. 2024 The president has regularly stated his intention to adhere to, not influence, the Fed. Paolo Confino, Fortune, 16 Mar. 2024 The defense alleges that Morrissey relied heavily on the state’s expert witness, Bryan Carpenter, who, according to the motion, stated that the actor was responsible for safe handling of firearms. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 The National Weather Service office in Little Rock picked up a debris signature on radar around 8:05 p.m. that indicated a tornado had struck near the town in Garland and Saline counties, a post on X, formerly Twitter, stated. Joseph Flaherty, arkansasonline.com, 15 Mar. 2024 As stated, doormats can serve two purposes: decor and function. Lee Alisha Williams, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2024 Clocks were briefly pushed forward as a global attempt to save energy during World War I, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health stated. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 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.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English stat, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French estat, from Latin status, from stare to stand — more at stand

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of state was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near state

Cite this Entry

“State.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/state. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

state

1 of 3 noun
1
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
-ləs
adjective

state

2 of 3 adjective
1
: 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

Legal Definition

state

noun
often attributive
1
a
: 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
3
a
: 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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