state
Capitalize when following New York or Washington. Otherwise lowercase, except for the States, meaning the United States.
New York State, state of New York, the state
upstate New York; Elmira, New York, is ...
Washington State, state of Washington, the state
Virginia state control
13 original states
the 48 contiguous (or conterminous) states—excludes Alaska and Hawaii
lower forty-eight; lower 48; lower 48 states (contiguous 48 states)
the 49th state
the 50 states
state park, state government
stateside, statewide
the continental United States (includes Alaska)
mountain states, western states, etc.
middle Atlantic states
Capitalize nicknames of states: Texas, the Lone Star State.
Generally do not abbreviate the name of a state in text. In certain cases, such as maps and map notes, atlases, and fact boxes, abbreviations may be used.
Below is an accepted list of traditional abbreviations with two-letter postal abbreviations included in bold. Postal abbreviations should be used in addresses and may also be used on maps and on the spine of the magazine:
Lowercase state for other nations:
Chihuahua state, Mato Grosso state, Kerala state.
The possessive form for all U.S. states includes 's.
Kansas's
Massachusetts's
Texas's