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

Now a wife and mother, Jane resides in upstate New York and makes a living rescuing imperiled citizens and providing them with new identities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 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

After parsing struggling sites, Red Lobster could start growing again, including in upstate New York and New England where the brand runs few locations, Adamolekun said.

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

Mr. Calloway had escaped a provisional farm in upstate New York long before Magdalys was born, and she tried to be as nice to him as she could.

From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older