# Charleston

/ˈtʃɑɹəɫstən/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/charleston
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a city in South Carolina

noun · CEFR B2

a historic port city in the state of South Carolina, USA.

For teachers: a major port city in South Carolina, known for its colonial history and architecture.

- We spent our summer holiday exploring the historic streets of Charleston.
- Charleston remains a significant cultural hub in the American South, preserving much of its eighteenth-century urban fabric and maritime heritage.

### 2. a 1920s dance

noun · CEFR B2

a fast, lively dance from the 1920s where you kick your legs out.

For teachers: a lively, syncopated ballroom dance popular in the 1920s, involving inward and outward rotation of the feet and sharp leg kicks.

- The band played jazz music and everyone started dancing the Charleston.
- The Charleston became a defining symbol of the Jazz Age, reflecting the social shifts and energetic spirit of the post-war generation.

## Examples

- The band played a fast song and everyone started dancing the Charleston.
- During the themed party, the guests learned how to do the Charleston to the sound of a live brass band.
- The Charleston became a cultural phenomenon in the mid-1920s, symbolizing a shift toward more liberated social behaviors and a departure from the rigid formality of Victorian-era dance styles.

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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.