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

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

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

The loft is great, but rather than upgrade, I’m thinking about a house in upstate New York or London.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

Meanwhile, Ford's sales volumes were dented by a pair of fires at the Novelis Oswego aluminum plant in upstate New York in October and November, resulting in another $2 billion hit for the year.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

Before 1600, the last total solar eclipse observable in upstate New York occurred on August 31, 1142.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann