Up State
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
In the U.S.A. the part of a State furthest north or distant from the coast; the term is used more particularly of the northern parts of New York State.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “Up State” mean?
In the U.S.A. the part of a State furthest north or distant from the coast; the term is used more particularly of the northern parts of New York State.
Is “Up State” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.