Meaning of state In English

• 0 a condition or way of being that exists at a particular time:

  • The building was in a state of disrepair.

  • She was found wandering in a confused state (of mind).

  • Give me the keys - you're not in a state to drive.

  • After the accident I was in a state of shock.

  • I came home to an unhappy state of affairs (= situation).

  • The kitchen was in its original state, with a 1920s sink and stove.

  • The article provides a useful summary of the current state of play in the negotiations.

• 1 a country or its government:

  • The drought is worst in the central African states.

  • Britain is one of the member states of the European Union.

  • The government was determined to reduce the number of state-owned industries.

  • Some theatres receive a small amount of funding from the state.

  • formal His diary included comments on affairs/matters of state (= information about government activities).

  • Alaska is the largest state in the US

  • Representatives are elected from each state.

  • The Queen rode in state to the opening of Parliament.

• 2 to say or write something, especially clearly and carefully:

  • Our warranty clearly states the limits of our liability.

  • [ + (that) ] Union members stated (that) they were unhappy with the proposal.

  • [ + question word ] Please state why you wish to apply for this grant.

  • Children in the stated (= named) areas were at risk from a lack of food, the report said.

• 3 provided, created, or done by the state (= government of a country):

  • state education/industries

  • state legislature/law

  • state control

  • state funding/pensions/subsidies

  • the state opening of Parliament

  • a state funeral

• 4 a condition or way of being:

  • The stable was preserved in its original state.

  • Your room is in a terrible state.

  • It's a sad state of affairs (= a bad situation) when our rivers are so endangered.

• 5 one of the political units that some countries, such as the US, are divided into:

  • New York State

  • the State of Arizona

  • the member states of the United Nations

  • When will you be visiting the States?

• 6 to express information clearly and carefully:

  • His will states the property is to be sold.

  • Please state your preference.

• 7 provided, created, or done by the state:

  • a state legislature/law

  • state police

  • a state dinner

• 8 the condition that someone or something is in at a particular time:

  • The offices were in a state of disrepair.

  • The index for capital goods production is a key indicator of the state of the economy.

  • They commented on the poor state of the company's finances.

  • Some economists are predicting that public finances will return to a healthy state within five years.

  • They are paid a stable, fair price, regardless of the current state of the market.

• 9 a situation:

  • Poor decisions by the board bear most of the responsibility for this sorry state of affairs.

• 10 the present situation:

  • The meeting reviewed the state of play in each market.

• 11 a country with its own government:

  • the West African State of Ghana

  • The legislation requires the agreement of every one of the EU's member states.

  • In December 1991, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was broken up into fifteen independent states.

• 12 a part of a large country such as Australia, Germany, or the US that has its own government:

  • The German federal states have a large degree of autonomy.

  • the northern/southern/eastern/western states of the US

  • The company operates hospitals in 12 states, including Texas and California.

  • The Navajo reservation stretches from Arizona into two neighbouring states.

• 13 the government of a country:

  • funded/provided/run by the state

  • affairs/matters of state

  • The government was determined to reduce the number of state-owned industries.

  • They hope to reduce dependence on the state by paying benefits only to those whose income falls below a new, higher tax threshold.

• 14 used to refer to the United States of America:

  • If they wish to work in the States again, they must show proof of employment with a US-based employer.

• 15 to say or write something, especially when it is done clearly and carefully:

  • Our warranty clearly states the limits of our liability.

  • state that The rules state that the directors are required by law to prepare financial statements for each financial period.

  • Make your claim in writing, stating your full name and address.

  • state a fact/opinion I wasn't criticizing the way you run the department; I was merely stating facts.

• 16 to give or agree the details of something:

  • a stated commitment/goal The central bank's stated goal is to keep the inflation rate between 1 and 3%.

  • Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in a banking institution for a specified period of time at a stated interest rate.

  • A fund with a 50% turnover has bought and sold half of the value of its total investment portfolio during the stated period.

• 17 provided, owned, or done by the government of a country:

  • state companies/enterprises/monopolies The main ports are owned by state economic enterprises.

  • state education/a state school

  • state subsidies

• 18 relating to a particular state of a country, especially the US:

  • state agencies/employees/legislature