state/steɪt/

n.

➊ the condition that sb/sth is in

➋ a country that has its own government

➌ [or State] one of the parts that the US and some other countries are divided into

➍ [the States] the United States of America

n. [C]

➊ 状态；情形：[in a ... state] The country's economy is in a terrible state. 这个国家的经济一团糟。

◇[state of sth] He was in a state of shock. 他震惊不已。

➋ 国家：a UN member state 联合国成员国

◇a state-owned factory 国有工厂

➌ [或State] （美国等国家的）州：the state of Washington 华盛顿州

◇the United States of America 美利坚合众国（或：美国）

➍ [the States] 美国：He went to the States last week. 他上星期去美国了。

音组-ate/-eɪt/

date; gate; hate; late; plate; rate; skate; state

用法“美国”可说the States = the United States (of America) = the USA = the US。作为整体时，谓语动词用单数，如：The States is certain to reject the proposal. 美国肯定会拒绝这个提议。

辨析country; nation; state