State of the Union message

American

noun

U.S. Government.

an annual message to Congress in which the president reports on the state of the nation and outlines a legislative program: required by the Constitution (Article II, Section 3). SOTU

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.

Sources close to Trump say the reason he has rarely been seen is that he is preparing for his upcoming State of the Union message, which he is scheduled to deliver on Tuesday, Feb. 24.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2026

He released a comprehensive mental health and drug treatment plan as part of his State of the Union message.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 13, 2022

In 1953, President Truman announced in his State of the Union message to Congress that the United States had developed a hydrogen bomb.

From Washington Times • Jan. 7, 2021

Senators will then return in time to proceed to the House chamber, where President Trump will give the State of the Union message before a joint session of Congress.

From Fox News • Feb. 4, 2020

Civil rights was not mentioned in Kennedy's first State of the Union message.

From Integration of the Armed Forces, 1940-1965 by MacGregor, Morris J.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023