State (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

noun
  1. the condition of a person or thing, as with respect to circumstances or attributes: a state of health.
  2. the condition of matter with respect to structure, form, constitution, phase, or the like: water in a gaseous state.
  3. status, rank, or position in life; station: He dresses in a manner befitting his state.
  4. the style of living befitting a person of wealth and high rank: to travel in state.
  5. a particular condition of mind or feeling: to be in an excited state.
  6. an abnormally tense, nervous, or perturbed condition: He's been in a state since hearing about his brother's death.
  7. a politically unified people occupying a definite territory; nation.
  8. the territory, or one of the territories, of a government.
  9. any of the bodies politic which together make up a federal union, as in the United States of America.
  10. the body politic as organized for civil rule and government (distinguished from church).
  11. the operations or activities of a central civil government: affairs of state.
  12. the Department of State.
  13. a set of copies of an edition of a publication which differ from others of the same printing because of additions, corrections, or transpositions made during printing or at any time before publication.
  14. the United States (usually used outside its borders): After a year's study in Spain, he returned to the States.
adjective
  1. of or relating to the central civil government or authority.
  2. made, maintained, or chartered by or under the authority of one of the commonwealths that make up a federal union: a state highway;a state bank.
  3. characterized by, attended with, or involving ceremony: a state dinner.
  4. used on or reserved for occasions of ceremony.
verb (used with object), stat·ed, stat·ing.
  1. to declare definitely or specifically: She stated her position on the case.
  2. to set forth formally in speech or writing: to state a hypothesis.
  3. to set forth in proper or definite form: to state a problem.
  4. to say.
  5. to fix or settle, as by authority.
Idioms
  1. (of a corpse) to be exhibited publicly with honors before burial: The president's body lay in state for two days.
  2. See entry at state of mind.
noun
  1. the condition of a person, thing, etc, with regard to main attributes
  2. the structure, form, or constitution of something
  3. any mode of existence
  4. position in life or society; estate
  5. ceremonious style, as befitting wealth or dignity
  6. a sovereign political power or community
  7. the territory occupied by such a community
  8. the sphere of power in such a community
  9. one of a number of areas or communities having their own governments and forming a federation under a sovereign government, as in the US
  10. the body politic of a particular sovereign power, esp as contrasted with a rival authority such as the Church
  11. a class or order; estate
  12. a nervous, upset, or excited condition (esp in the phrase in a state)
  13. (of a body) to be placed on public view before burial
  14. a situation; present circumstances or condition
  15. the current situation
adjective
  1. controlled or financed by a state
  2. of, relating to, or concerning the State
  3. involving ceremony or concerned with a ceremonious occasion
verb (tr; may take a clause as object)
  1. to articulate in words; utter
  2. to declare formally or publicly
  3. to resolve
State (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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