state

noun

1. a : a politically organized body of people usually occupying a definite territory; especially : one that is sovereign : one that is sovereign

   b : the territory of a state

   c : a government or politically organized society having a particular character a police state

2. : the operations or concerns of the government of a country : the sphere of administration and supreme political power of a country (as in international relations) secrets of state affairs of state

3. a : one of the constituent units of a nation having a federal government; specifically : one of the fifty such units comprising the great part of the U.S. — see also state law : one of the fifty such units comprising the great part of the U.S. — see also state law

   b : the territory of a state