: the chiefly northerly sections of a state
also
: the chiefly rural part of a state when the major metropolitan area is in the south
Examples of upstate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Thessaly La Force,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
Pic follows two estranged sisters who attempt to rob a secluded home in rural upstate New York.
—
Anthony D'alessandro,
Deadline,
25 June 2026
Whether you're headed upstate for a retreat at INNESS for some peace and quiet, spending the weekend at a cozy lake house, or anything in the wheelhouse of a slower itinerary, the goal is to look effortlessly put together without overthinking it.
—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
19 June 2026
Helen and the kids fled for upstate in their station wagon, while Mango and the family cat, Puss Puss, stayed behind.
—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for upstate
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Noun
Owen had travelled from upstate, and talked about Nauman visiting him.
—
Thessaly La Force,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
Pic follows two estranged sisters who attempt to rob a secluded home in rural upstate New York.
—
Anthony D'alessandro,
Deadline,
25 June 2026
Whether you're headed upstate for a retreat at INNESS for some peace and quiet, spending the weekend at a cozy lake house, or anything in the wheelhouse of a slower itinerary, the goal is to look effortlessly put together without overthinking it.
—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
19 June 2026
Helen and the kids fled for upstate in their station wagon, while Mango and the family cat, Puss Puss, stayed behind.
—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for upstate
Cite this Entry
“Upstate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upstate. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
upstate
adjective
up·state
ˈəp-ˌstāt 
: 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
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