upstate /ˈʌp.steɪt/noun 3adjective 1adverb 1forms 3 noun3 •(US) The northern section of a state. •(US) The inland section of a state, particularly of South Carolina. •A period during sleep when somebody is primed and ready to learn. adjective1 •(US) Of the northern section of a state.They went hunting in upstate New York. adverb1 •(US) To the northern section of a state.He drove upstate to visit his mother. formsupstates · more upstate · most upstate