Upstate

Part of speech: adjective, noun

Pronunciation: /ˈʌpsteɪt/

Definitions

1. A geographical area of a state that is situated away from its urban zones, often characterized by natural landscapes and less population density
2. Referring to the section of a state that lies further from major urban areas, typically highlighting a more rural and serene environment
3. A region within a state that is located away from metropolitan centers, commonly known for its open spaces and lower levels of urban development

Etymology: "Upstate" is a compound of two plain English words: "up," from Old English "upp," and "state," which descends from Latin "status," meaning a condition or standing, through Old French "estat" and Middle English "stat." Combined, the words describe a position on a map rather than a legal or political status: the parts of a state lying farther north, or farther from its largest cities, than the rest. The compound is typically American in use. Its meaning depends on geography: in New York, "upstate" refers to everything outside New York City and its immediate suburbs, while in other states the same idea is expressed with a different direction word, since the term rests on a sense of "up" as north or inland. The adjective and noun uses follow naturally from that locational sense, so a person can live "upstate" or move to "the upstate."

Synonyms: northern, rural