state

I UK [steɪt] / US noun
Word forms "state":
singular state plural states
***

1) [countable, usually singular] the condition of something at a particular time

the state of:

We're collecting data on the state of the environment.

a state of:

The country is drifting into a state of chaos.

a sorry state (= a very bad condition):

The British transport system is in a bit of a sorry state.

a) a particular physical form that something has, especially when this can change

The curators believe the painting can be restored to its original state.

b) [singular] the physical or mental condition of someone at a particular time, usually when this is bad in some way

A friend found the girl in the street in a distressed state.

state of:

The impact seemed to startle him into a state of panic.

in an awful/dreadful/terrible state:

By the time he got home, he was in a terrible state.

2)

a) [countable] a nation, or a country

b) [countable] a region of a country that has its own government for some matters. A country that is divided into states is called a federal country

The State of Michigan had revoked the licence.

3) [uncountable] the government of a country

Should the state play a bigger role in industry?

The ruling banned the state-run news media from promoting political candidates.

See:

head of state

4) the States

informal the United States of America

•

be in/get into a (real) state — informal to be/become very nervous or worried; informal to be in/start to be in a bad or untidy condition

She was out all night and her parents were in a real state.

By the end of the evening the room was in a real state.

- in a fit state

- in state

See:

state of affairs, state of emergency, state of play, the State of the Union Address, the State Opening of Parliament

II UK [steɪt] / US verb [transitive]
Word forms "state":
present tense I/you/we/they state he/she/it states present participle stating past tense stated past participle stated
***

1) to express something in speech or writing, especially in a definite or formal way

"Jemma is going back with me," George stated firmly.

The candidates stated their case at a series of meetings.

state that:

He stated that the project would be completed by April.

state a fact/opinion:

I'm not making excuses: I'm simply stating a fact.

2) to give information

The conditions are clearly stated in the contract.

III UK [steɪt] / US adjective [only before noun]

Differences between British and American English: state:

In the UK, the adjective state usually means paid for by the government: a state pension. In the US, state usually refers to the individual states of the United States, or to their governments, laws, taxes etc: the state fair ♦ state income tax. In the UK and the US, state can also be a noun meaning a country or a national government: the member states of the EU.

1) a state occasion or event involves a country's government or head

The president is about to start a three-day state visit to Norway.

2) a state institution is one that is paid for and run by the government

His only income is a modest state pension.

All his children went to state schools.

3) taking place in or relating to a region of a country that has its own government for some matters

Five state elections will be held in March.