downstate noun 2adjective 1adverb 1forms 3 noun2 •(US) The southern region of certain US states, particularly Michigan, New York, and Illinois.The final election returns from downstate may not be available until late Wednesday morning. •A period during sleep when somebody is not primed and not ready to learn. adjective1 •(US) Of the southern section of a state. adverb1 •(US) To the southern section of a state. formsdownstates · more downstate · most downstate