The word "state" has multiple meanings, but it generally refers to a particular condition, phase, or situation in which something exists. It can also denote a political entity, such as a country or a region that has its own government. In different contexts, "state" can also describe how someone feels or the quality of being in a specific situation (e.g., being in a state of confusion).
The word "state" comes from the Latin word "status," which means "standing" or "position." It entered Middle English at the end of the 14th century, referring to a condition or situation, and later evolved to also encompass political meanings.