easy
The old cabin was still in a good state of repair after the winter.
What does State mean?
State can mean a condition, a country or government, a federal division, or to express something clearly.
Dictionary definition
A condition or way of being; a politically organized country or its government; or a major political division in some federal countries. As a verb, state means to express something clearly or formally. As an adjective, it means connected with government or an official occasion.
Example sentences
State in a sentence
easy
Water changes from a liquid state to a gaseous state when it boils.
medium
France is a sovereign state, while California is a state within the United States.
medium
The state provides public services through its government.
medium
Please state your conclusion and the evidence that supports it.
hard
The visiting leader attended a formal state dinner.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of State
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
Which answer names two common meanings of state?
State can describe how something is or name a country, government, or federal political division.
Practice 2
Which sentence uses state as a verb?
Here state is an action meaning express clearly.
Practice 3
Which sentence distinguishes two political meanings of state?
The first state means an independent country; the second means a division within a federal country.
Practice complete
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Pronunciation coach
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State
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WordState.
Partnoun, verb, adjective.
MeaningState means State can mean a condition, a country or government, a federal division, or to express something clearly.
ExampleExample: The old cabin was still in a good state of repair after the winter.
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Synonyms
Words like State
Antonym review
Does State have an opposite?
State has no general direct opposite because its condition, political, governmental, federal-unit, verb, and adjective senses differ.
Synonym practice
Want to practice state synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The student will assert her answer with confidence," then compare close word choices. Practice state synonyms.
Word family
State word family
Base word
state
noun
states
More than one condition or political unit; it is also the present-tense verb used with he, she, or it.
verb
stated
Expressed clearly or formally in the past.
verb
stating
Expressing something clearly or formally.
noun
statehood
The condition of being a recognized state or a state within a federation.
adjective
stateless
Not recognized as a citizen by any country.
Related words
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Student support
Understand State
Hint for students
Look for a condition, a country or government, a division within a country, or the action of expressing words clearly.
Common mix-up
State does not always mean a U.S. political division. In international use it can mean a sovereign country, and in science or everyday language it often means a condition.
Try it in class or at home
Give students six state sentence cards to sort into condition, sovereign country or government, federal division, clear expression, and official adjective. Have them underline the context clue for each choice.
Teacher prompt
Compare the model sentences “The water changed state,” “The state signed the treaty,” and “Please state your reason.” Ask students which clues identify condition, political, and verb meanings.
Word Wheels
Practice State with a Word Wheel
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Word Wheel
Practice with the Geography & Places Words Wheel
Spin this researched Geography & Places wheel to compare maps, political areas, regions, cities, borders, and Earth coordinates in context.
Word Wheel
Practice with the School Words Wheel
This word is part of WordHive's researched School Words collection. Spin the complete wheel to review meanings, discuss classroom connections, and practice using school vocabulary in sentences.
Learning activities
Practice State and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice STATE” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
Practice STATE
Sentence Builder
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Context Clue Challenge
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