states

noun

(Channel Islands) The parliament of either of the two Channel Islands countries: the States of Guernsey or the States of Jersey.

(informal, chiefly outside of the US) Ellipsis of United States. [(in the singular, formerly also plural) A country in North America, also including Hawaii in Oceania; in full, United States of America.]

(historical, US) Those parts of the United States comprising states rather than territories.

Roots

stostat- · Latin · stand

Synonyms & related words for states

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Words related to states

Explore words related to states — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include country, nation, commonwealth, superstate, intrastate, statolatry, stateside, legislatures. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Where does states come from?

The word states breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root stat-, from Latin sto (“stand”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.