lie in state
idiom
of the body of a famous leader
: displayed in a coffin in a public place so that people can view it and show respect
Examples of lie in state in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Bond will lie in state in the rotunda for 24 hours following the service.
—
Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2025
During that time, the pope’s body will be blessed and lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City for viewing, according to Politico.
—David Chiu, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The remains of President Jimmy Carter will arrive in Washington, D.C., today, where plans call for members of Congress to pay their respects at a service in the Capitol Rotunda before Carter will lie in state tonight and Wednesday.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025
Carter, who died Dec. 29 at age 100, was ceremonially carried into the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday to lie in state.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lie in state
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Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2025
During that time, the pope’s body will be blessed and lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City for viewing, according to Politico.
—David Chiu, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The remains of President Jimmy Carter will arrive in Washington, D.C., today, where plans call for members of Congress to pay their respects at a service in the Capitol Rotunda before Carter will lie in state tonight and Wednesday.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025
Carter, who died Dec. 29 at age 100, was ceremonially carried into the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday to lie in state.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lie in state
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Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lie in state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lie%20in%20state. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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