lie in state
idiom
of the body of a famous leader
: displayed in a coffin in a public place so that people can view it and show respect
Examples of lie in state in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
More politics coverage: The body of former President Jimmy Carter arrived at the U.S. Capitol to lie in state after a memorial service in the rotunda.
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Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 8 Jan. 2025
There, the 39th U.S. president will lie in state until Jan. 9, as members of the public are encouraged to pay their respects.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025
Carter will lie in state in the Rotunda until Thursday when there will be a state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral.
—Caroline Linton, CBS News, 4 Jan. 2025
Carter’s body will lie in state next Tuesday and Wednesday in the Capitol Rotunda.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for lie in state 
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Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 8 Jan. 2025
There, the 39th U.S. president will lie in state until Jan. 9, as members of the public are encouraged to pay their respects.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025
Carter will lie in state in the Rotunda until Thursday when there will be a state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral.
—Caroline Linton, CBS News, 4 Jan. 2025
Carter’s body will lie in state next Tuesday and Wednesday in the Capitol Rotunda.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for lie in state
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Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
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Cite this Entry
“Lie in state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lie%20in%20state. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
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