Charleston

¹ American  

[chahrlz-tuhn, chahrl-stuhn] / ˈtʃɑrlz tən, ˈtʃɑrl stən /

noun

1. a vigorous, rhythmic ballroom dance popular in the 1920s.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to dance the Charleston.

Charleston ² American  

[chahrlz-tuhn, chahrl-stuhn] / ˈtʃɑrlz tən, ˈtʃɑrl stən /

noun

1. a seaport in SE South Carolina.

2. a city in and the capital of West Virginia, in the W part.

3. a city in E central Illinois.

---

Charleston ¹ British  

/ ˈtʃɑːlstən /

noun

1. a city in central West Virginia: the state capital. Pop: 51 394 (2003 est)

2. a port in SE South Carolina, on the Atlantic: scene of the first action in the Civil War. Pop: 101 024 (2003 est)

---

charleston ² British  

/ ˈtʃɑːlstən /

noun

1. a fast rhythmic dance of the 1920s, characterized by kicking and by twisting of the legs from the knee down

---

Charleston ¹ Cultural  

1. Two cities in the South: one a port city in southeastern South Carolina, the other the capital of West Virginia.

---

Charleston ² Cultural  

1. A fast-paced dance, with elaborate arm movements, that became a craze in the United States during the 1920s.

---

Etymology

Origin of Charleston

Named after Charleston, South Carolina

Example Sentences

The Charleston plant is operated by Volvo, which is controlled by Geely, and currently produces Volvo and Polestar models.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

During a late-March event held in Fairey’s hometown of Charleston, S.C.,

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

Lilly, who was handcuffed and taken into custody, requested that her purse be brought with her to the detention facility in North Charleston.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

A short hike to the beach afforded views of the starkly angular lighthouse known as the Charleston Light.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

I thought, This is the way Our Lady came washing up on the river near Charleston.

From "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd

Related Words

• disco
• samba
• tango
• waltz