blue state

American  

[bloo steyt] / ˈblu ˌsteɪt /

noun

U.S. Politics.

1. a state of the U.S. that usually votes Democratic.

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Etymology

Origin of blue state

With reference to the color used on maps in televised coverage of the 2000 U.S. presidential election to show the states won by the Democratic candidate

Compare meaning

How does blue-state compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• blue state vs. red state

Example Sentences

Although long a blue state, New Mexico elected Republican Susana Martinez, the country’s first Latina governor, to two terms beginning in 2011.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2024

At one extreme is the very blue state of Vermont, where around 62% of adults have gotten boosted in the past 12 months.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 28, 2023

“Comparing states is tricky and people will likely go to red state, blue state, which is not the most helpful framing,” Sean Reardon, a professor of education at Stanford University, told Sarah.

From New York Times • Oct. 25, 2022

Hogan has been branded a moderate during his two terms as governor in a blue state.

From Washington Post • Oct. 6, 2022

Had it principal industries, like any red, or green, or blue state on that pedantic map?

From The Boss of Little Arcady by Wilson, Harry Leon