upstate

American  

[uhp-steyt] / ˈʌpˈsteɪt /

noun

1. the part of a state that is farther north or farther from the chief city, especially the northerly part of New York State.

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adjective

1. of or coming from such an area.

2. located in or characteristic of this part.

adverb

1. in, to, or into the upstate area.

upstate British  

/ ˈʌpˈsteɪt /

adjective

1. towards, in, from, or relating to the outlying or northern sections of a state, esp of New York State

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noun

1. the outlying, esp northern, sections of a state

Other Word Forms

• upstater noun

Etymology

Origin of upstate

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05; up- + state

Example Sentences

“I thought it would affect us better than it has,” said Tyler Dunworth, who supervises a maintenance crew at a university in upstate New York, of the immigration crackdown.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

It may well be that the duo have decided to relocate to one of their other impressive properties, which include a home in London and a countryside retreat in upstate New York.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

Fashion icon Kenneth Cole has listed his sprawling upstate New York home for $16 million—after letting George Clooney rent out the dwelling during his “Good Night, and Good Luck” Broadway run.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

“I love my Chevy EUV Bolt, except in the wintertime,” writes John Shelly, who lives in upstate New York.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

I can tell that Janae is looking for something interesting to say, as if she didn’t just come down from upstate after meeting new people and having new experiences and learning new things.

From "Pride" by Ibi Zoboi