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.

---

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

---

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

Rapidus engineers train with IBM colleagues in upstate New York.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

She warned that regulations could increase upstate utility bills by about $4,000 a year and gasoline prices by $2.23 a gallon.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

During a recent getaway to a remote cabin in upstate New York, I found myself thinking about why the quiet is so frightening.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2026

A nearly-blind, non-English-speaking refugee from Myanmar has been found dead in upstate New York after being released from federal immigration custody.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

Assuming I was from upstate, he thought I was lying.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover