noun
state
stayt
noun
1
The particular condition someone or something is in at a given time.
"The house was left in a terrible state after the party."
"Water can exist in a solid, liquid, or gas state."
2
A country, or a self-governing political division within a larger country (such as one of the fifty American states).
"France is a sovereign state in Western Europe."
"Texas is the second-largest state in the US."
verb
1
To say or write something clearly and directly.
"Please state your name and address for the record."
How to Use State
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA condition something is in, a country or political region, or (as a verb) to say something clearly.
Common pairings
state of emergency
nation-state
state your case
Word Forms
more state comparative, stated past tense, states plural, States plural, states singular, most state superlative
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The house was left in a terrible _____ after the party.
Etymology
From Latin status, "manner of standing, condition," by way of Old French estat — the same root that gives us estate and status.