Pronunciation: [kˈɛnjuːˌɪk] (IPA) 
Kennewick is a city located in Benton County, Washington. Its spelling is pronounced as /ˈkɛnəˌwɪk/, with the stress on the first syllable. The "k" sound at the beginning is followed by "e" and "n" sounds, and "w" represents the "w" sound, followed by "ɪ" and "k" sounds. The "e" in "wick" has a short vowel sound, and "c" is pronounced as "k." Keeping in mind the phonetics of the word "kennewick" helps in its accurate pronunciation.
Kennewick is a proper noun that refers to a city located in Benton County, Washington, in the United States. The term can have multiple meanings depending on the context.
First and foremost, it is commonly used to denote the city itself, also known as Kennewick, WA. Kennewick is situated at the confluence of the Columbia, Yakima, and Snake Rivers. As of the 2020 census, its population was estimated to be around 86,000 people. The city serves as a hub for the Tri-Cities area, which also includes the neighboring cities Pasco and Richland.
Additionally, "Kennewick" can also refer to the Kennewick Man, an ancient human skeleton found on the banks of the Columbia River near Kennewick, Washington in 1996. The discovery stirred significant debate among archaeologists, anthropologists, and Native American tribes due to the skeleton's age and its potential connection to the region's indigenous peoples.
Furthermore, "Kennewick" can relate to various entities or places within or associated with the city, such as Kennewick High School, a local educational institution, and the Kennewick Irrigation District, which manages water resources in the area.
Overall, "Kennewick" encompasses a diverse range of meanings, encompassing a city, a historic archaeological discovery, as well as various entities within or associated with the locality.
The word "Kennewick" is derived from the Native American language, specifically the indigenous language spoken by the Wanapum people. The Wanapum people are part of the larger Plateau Indian tribes and have inhabited the Columbia Plateau region, which includes the area where the present-day city of Kennewick is located, for thousands of years.
The etymology of "Kennewick" is believed to originate from the Wanapum word "Wanawnapam", which roughly translates to "water coming out from the ground". Over time, this term was modified by European settlers and traders into "Kennewick". The Wanapum people and their language have a significant historical and cultural presence in the Columbia Basin area, and the city of Kennewick pays homage to their heritage through its name.
