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

Rapidus engineers train with IBM colleagues in upstate New York.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

One woman is relocated to an assisted-living facility upstate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 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

“Who knew,” Mom says, her voice filling with amazement, “that an inner-city Pennsylvania girl would meet a rural, upstate New York boy and discover true love?”

From "Black Brother, Black Brother" by Jewell Parker Rhodes