upstate

noun

up·​state ˈəp-ˌstāt How to pronounce upstate (audio)
: the chiefly northerly sections of a state
also : the chiefly rural part of a state when the major metropolitan area is in the south
upstate adverb or adjective
upstater noun

Examples of upstate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some Democratic lawmakers in New York have introduced a bill that would allow Ms. Hochul to further delay the special election in Ms. Stefanik’s conservative upstate district. Annie Karni, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025 Trump's claims that measures to protect the delta smelt, an endangered fish, upstate affected L.A.'s water supply are false, according to Ashley Overhouse, a California water policy adviser for the nonprofit conservation organization Defenders of Wildlife. Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 24 Jan. 2025 In May 2023, Dantzler paid $750,000 to buy and renovate a home for Media upstate in Clifton Park, the indictment said. Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2025 Faced with the prospect of having to find a new home and studio spaces in New York, the couple decided that moving to a rural location upstate might be the better choice for both their lifestyle and finances. Tim McKeough, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for upstate

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of upstate was in 1901

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Upstate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upstate. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

upstate

adjective
up·​state ˈəp-ˌstāt How to pronounce upstate (audio)
: of, relating to, or typical of a part of a state away from a large city and especially to the north
upstate noun or adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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