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state university

American  

noun

  1. a university maintained by the government of a state.


Etymology

Origin of state university

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Otherwise they send their child to a cheaper state university.

From The Wall Street Journal May 11, 2026

Johns Hopkins offered $16,000 more, making the cost less than that of a state university in New York, where the family lives.

From MarketWatch Apr. 28, 2026

George Mason, with more than 40,000 students, is the most racially diverse public research university in the state, university officials say.

From Salon Jul. 14, 2025

Part of the challenge here is that Twitter, at its best, was like a giant state university.

From Slate Jun. 12, 2025

His plan took shape the evening he escorted my sisters Lisa and Gretchen and me to the local state university to see Dave Brubeck, who was then touring with his sons.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

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