1state 
/ˈsteɪt/ noun
plural states /ˈsteɪt/ noun 1 [count] a : a way of living or existing
▪ 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.
b : the overall physical condition of something : the ability of something to be used, enjoyed, etc.
▪ The museum restored the painting to its original state. [=condition] ▪ The building is in such a sorry state that it's hardly worth fixing. ▪ The car is in a good/bad state of repair. [=the car is in good/bad condition]
c : the things that affect the way you think or feel : your physical or mental condition
▪ her mental/emotional state ▪ By the time I arrived, he was in quite a state. [=he was very upset, worried, angry, etc.] — often + of ▪ They were in a state of shock/confusion. [=they were shocked/confused] ▪ I'm worried about the state of her health. ▪ The drug creates an altered state of consciousness. ▪ an unhappy state of mind ▪ She was in no (fit) state [=in no condition] to drive. [=she was too sick, drunk, etc., to drive]
d : the things that affect the way something is or happens : the characteristics of a situation
▪ What is the company's financial state? [=condition] — often + of ▪ the current/present state of the economy ▪ Her life is in a state of complete chaos. ▪ The empire fell into a state of decline. ▪ The country is in a state of war. [=the country is at war] ▪ Tonight the President will give the State of the Union address. [=an annual speech given to the U.S. Congress by the President to report on the state of the country] — see also state-of-the-art, state of emergency at emergency 2 [count] : the fact of being a liquid, solid, or gas
▪ water in a gaseous state ▪ the solid and liquid states 3 [count] a : a politically organized group of people usually occupying a definite territory : nation
▪ African/Arabic states ▪ the member states of the United Nations Security Council — see also city-state, nation-state
b : a particular kind of government or politically organized society — see also police state, slave state, welfare state 4 a [count] : a region of a country that is controlled by the country's central government but that has the authority to make its own laws about certain things
▪ the 50 states of the U.S. ▪ Chihuahua is a state in northern Mexico. ▪ Vermont was the only New England state to pass the law. ▪ the state legislature ▪ state and federal laws ▪ state lines/borders ▪ This matter falls under state jurisdiction. ▪ Today is a state holiday here. [=it is an official holiday in this state but not nationally] — often used in combination ▪ a state-run program ▪ state-funded scholarships ▪ This land is state-owned. — see also downstate, upstate
b the States informal : the United States of America
▪ My cousin from England is coming to visit me in the States. ▪ The band plans to tour the States. 5 [noncount] : the government of a country
▪ matters of state [=government business] ▪ the separation of church and state ▪ a crown worn only on state occasions ▪ The President will make a state visit to China. ▪ the (U.S.) Department of State = the State Department [=the part of the U.S. government that is responsible for how the U.S. deals with other countries] — see also state's evidence
▪ 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.
b : the overall physical condition of something : the ability of something to be used, enjoyed, etc.
▪ The museum restored the painting to its original state. [=condition] ▪ The building is in such a sorry state that it's hardly worth fixing. ▪ The car is in a good/bad state of repair. [=the car is in good/bad condition]
c : the things that affect the way you think or feel : your physical or mental condition
▪ her mental/emotional state ▪ By the time I arrived, he was in quite a state. [=he was very upset, worried, angry, etc.] — often + of ▪ They were in a state of shock/confusion. [=they were shocked/confused] ▪ I'm worried about the state of her health. ▪ The drug creates an altered state of consciousness. ▪ an unhappy state of mind ▪ She was in no (fit) state [=in no condition] to drive. [=she was too sick, drunk, etc., to drive]
d : the things that affect the way something is or happens : the characteristics of a situation
▪ What is the company's financial state? [=condition] — often + of ▪ the current/present state of the economy ▪ Her life is in a state of complete chaos. ▪ The empire fell into a state of decline. ▪ The country is in a state of war. [=the country is at war] ▪ Tonight the President will give the State of the Union address. [=an annual speech given to the U.S. Congress by the President to report on the state of the country] — see also state-of-the-art, state of emergency at emergency
▪ water in a gaseous state ▪ the solid and liquid states
▪ African/Arabic states ▪ the member states of the United Nations Security Council — see also city-state, nation-state
b : a particular kind of government or politically organized society — see also police state, slave state, welfare state
▪ the 50 states of the U.S. ▪ Chihuahua is a state in northern Mexico. ▪ Vermont was the only New England state to pass the law. ▪ the state legislature ▪ state and federal laws ▪ state lines/borders ▪ This matter falls under state jurisdiction. ▪ Today is a state holiday here. [=it is an official holiday in this state but not nationally] — often used in combination ▪ a state-run program ▪ state-funded scholarships ▪ This land is state-owned. — see also downstate, upstate
b the States informal : the United States of America
▪ My cousin from England is coming to visit me in the States. ▪ The band plans to tour the States.
▪ matters of state [=government business] ▪ the separation of church and state ▪ a crown worn only on state occasions ▪ The President will make a state visit to China. ▪ the (U.S.) Department of State = the State Department [=the part of the U.S. government that is responsible for how the U.S. deals with other countries] — see also state's evidence
lie in state
◊When the body of a famous leader (such as a former U.S. president or the pope) lies in state, it is displayed in a coffin in a public place so that people can view it and show respect.
