# state machine

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/state-machine
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. computing model

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a system that can be in one of several fixed conditions, changing between them when it receives a specific signal.

For teachers: a computational model consisting of a finite number of states, transitions between those states, and actions; often used to design logic circuits and software.

- The developer used a state machine to manage the different screens in the mobile app.
- Implementing the protocol as a state machine ensured that the system could only transition to the 'authenticated' status after receiving a valid token.

Usage: Often used with the verb 'implement' or 'design'.

### 2. political apparatus

noun · CEFR C2 · Academic · Formal

the collection of organizations and people that a government uses to control a country.

For teachers: the institutional infrastructure and administrative apparatus through which a government exercises political power.

- The new laws were designed to strengthen the state machine and improve tax collection.
- Marxist theory often critiques the state machine as a tool used by the ruling class to maintain social and economic dominance.

Teaching tip: In political contexts, 'state machinery' is more common than 'state machine', which is now dominated by the computing sense.

## Examples

- A simple state machine controls the traffic lights.
- The developer used a state machine to manage the character's transitions between walking, jumping, and falling in the game.
- By implementing a formal state machine, the engineering team ensured that the software could never enter an invalid configuration, as every possible transition was explicitly defined and validated.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.