West Virginia

American  

noun

1. a state in the eastern United States. 24,181 sq. mi. (62,629 sq. km). Charleston. WV (for use with zip code), W.Va.

---

West Virginia British  

noun

1. Abbreviation: W Va.   W. Va..   WV.  a state of the eastern US: part of Virginia until the outbreak of the American Civil War (1861); consists chiefly of the Allegheny Plateau; bounded on the west by the Ohio River; coal-mining. Capital: Charleston. Pop: 1 810 354 (2003 est). Area: 62 341 sq km (24 070 sq miles)

---

West Virginia Cultural  

1. State in the southeastern United States bordered by Pennsylvania and Maryland to the north, Virginia to the east and south, and Kentucky and Ohio to the west. Its capital and largest city is Charleston.

---

Discover More

Ranks first in bituminous coal production, with about twenty percent of the nation's total.

Separated from Virginia after Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861; it was granted statehood in 1863, during the Civil War.

Other Word Forms

• West Virginian
  adjective

Example Sentences

If the Bruins advance, they will host a super regional against the winner of the Morgantown Regional hosted by West Virginia.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2026

Some states, including California, West Virginia and Utah, have passed laws restricting the sale of foods containing certain artificial dyes.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

The other stretches east to the West Virginia border, taking in a slice of Appalachia.

From Slate • May 19, 2026

In West Virginia, a “federal agent” threatened to deport a college student who was close to graduating unless they paid nearly $4,000 in gift cards.

From Salon • May 2, 2026

News of Fannie’s leadership in the garment workers’ union reached coal miners in Colliers, West Virginia, and she was asked to visit.

From "Fannie Never Flinched" by Mary Cronk Farrell