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state
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/steɪt/ 
| singular | state |
| plural | states |
- 1[countable] [usually singular] the condition of something at a particular timethe 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.
- 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.
- 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 also
head of state
phrases
be in/get into a (real) state
informalin a fit state
in state
This is the British English definition of state. View American English definition of state.
Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.
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