the condition of a person or thing, as with respect to circumstances or attributes

a state of health.

the condition of matter with respect to structure, form, constitution, phase, or the like

water in a gaseous state.

status, rank, or position in life; station

He dresses in a manner befitting his state.

the style of living befitting a person of wealth and high rank

to travel in state.

a particular condition of mind or feeling

to be in an excited state.

an abnormally tense, nervous, or perturbed condition

He's been in a state since hearing about his brother's death.

a politically unified people occupying a definite territory; nation.

the territory, or one of the territories, of a government.

( sometimes initial capital letter ) any of the bodies politic which together make up a federal union, as in the United States of America.

the body politic as organized for civil rule and government ( distinguished from church ).

the operations or activities of a central civil government

affairs of state.

( initial capital letter ) Also called State Department. Informal . the Department of State.

Printing . 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.

the States, Informal . the United States (usually used outside its borders)

After a year's study in Spain, he returned to the States.

of or pertaining to the central civil government or authority.

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.

characterized by, attended with, or involving ceremony

a state dinner.

used on or reserved for occasions of ceremony.

to declare definitely or specifically

She stated her position on the case.

to set forth formally in speech or writing

to state a hypothesis.

to set forth in proper or definite form

to state a problem.

to say.

to fix or settle, as by authority. ?

lie in state

(of a corpse) to be exhibited publicly with honors before burial

The president's body lay in state for two days.

verb

ask , question

noun

accompaniment , attitude , capacity , case , category , chances , character , circumstance , circumstances , contingency , element , environment , essential , estate , event , eventuality , fix , footing , form , frame of mind , humor , imperative , juncture , limitation , mood , nature , occasion , occurrence , outlook , pass , phase , plight , position , posture , predicament , prerequisite , proviso , reputation , requirement , shape , situation , spirits , stand , standing , state of affairs , station , status , stipulation , time , welfare , cachet , ceremony , consequence , display , glory , majesty , pomp , prestige , rank , splendor , stature , style , body politic , commonwealth , community , federation , land , nation , republic , sovereignty , territory , union , mode , fume , country , polity , canton , civitas , commonalty , condition , corridor , dilemma , enclave , grandeur , magnificence , quality

verb

affirm , air , articulate , asseverate , aver , bring out , chime in * , come out with , deliver , describe , elucidate , enounce , enumerate , enunciate , explain , expound , express , give , give blow-by-blow , give rundown , interpret , narrate , pitch , present , pronounce , propound , put , recite , recount , rehearse , relate , report , say , set forth , speak , specify , spiel * , tell , throw out * , utter , vent , ventilate , voice , communicate , convey , declare , talk , verbalize , vocalize , allege , argue , avouch , avow , claim , contend , hold , maintain