0

Obviously, when I go to Google this or search virtually anywhere I get a list of state abbreviations.

But I'm curious, what would the proper way be to abbreviate the actual word state?

Improve this question
5
  • 4
    You wouldn't abbreviate it.
    – JLG
    Oct 18, 2012 at 22:15
  • @JLG cf. answers below.
    – Kris
    Oct 19, 2012 at 5:12
  • 2
    Why do you think there is one? And why do you think there is a "proper" one?
    – Colin Fine
    Feb 17, 2013 at 22:15
  • @ColinFine Why does it matter? It was a label for a user input field in a program where I was limited to using 2 letters... several months ago. I am a programmer, not an English professor. Hence the question.
    – mawburn
    Feb 18, 2013 at 15:33
  • 1
    In general there isn't a conventional (let alone a 'proper') way to abbreviate an arbitrary word. Your question implied that you thought there was.
    – Colin Fine
    Feb 18, 2013 at 17:19

4 Answers 4

Reset to default
3

I would recommend either "ST" or "St", without a period (to avoid confusion with the abbreviation for "street"). I live in Washington (the state, not the city), and "Washington St" wouldn't strike me as odd if I read it in a magazine or newspaper. It doesn't look like there's a very rigidly defined standard on this.

But then, NBC seems to like "Washington St."

Improve this answer
6
  • But isn't a period required in order to indicate that it is an abbreviation? My Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations lists "st." as an accepted abbreviation for "state".
    – MrWhite
    Oct 18, 2012 at 22:45
  • 5
    Why is that not Washington Street?
    – Henry
    Oct 18, 2012 at 22:52
  • @Henry: Well, it could be. Abbreviations can sometimes introduce ambiguity.
    – MrWhite
    Oct 18, 2012 at 22:55
  • NY, NY being the classic example.
    – Merk
    Oct 19, 2012 at 1:54
  • 1
    I've lived in WA too - Have never encountered Washington St, except when referring to a street. It's just WA, no "st". If you wanted to abbrev might as well go all the way.
    – Blessed Geek
    Oct 19, 2012 at 7:22
3

In the US, the word state is generally not abbreviated. When used as parts of acronyms, it is simply referenced as S

NYS (New York State)
LSU (Louisiana State University)
SUNY (State University of New York)

Use of ST or St with or without periods is likely to result in confusion with street.

Improve this answer
2
  • I think your examples are inappropriate/ not relevant: 'State' not as part of an abbreviation, but on its own.
    – Kris
    Oct 19, 2012 at 5:13
  • 1
    @Kris In what context would you use state as an abbreviation on its own? The only use I can think of is on a form or chart, and in those contexts, three extra letters is a small price to avoid confusion. Maybe in a column to the right of CITY, ST might be acceptable, but probably not elsewhere.
    – bib
    Oct 19, 2012 at 18:56
0

I've seen mailing addresses use "St Hwy" to mean "State Highway"

Consider this possibility...

10152 St Hwy 76

vs

609 South St

"St" can mean State or Street

Improve this answer
-2

i would just use St without s period it wouldn't confuse me with St. the period makes me think street no period makes me think state

Improve this answer
1
  • Your sentence could do with a period or two.
    – KillingTime
    Dec 7, 2021 at 16:52

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.