kootenays
kootenays Lexical Profile
• noun
Canadian A geographic region in southeastern British Columbia, Canada, characterized by the Columbia and Rocky mountain ranges and encompassing the Kootenay River basin.
"We spent the summer hiking and visiting hot springs in the Kootenays."
North American The Indigenous Ktunaxa people of the Pacific Northwest, whose historical territory spans southeastern British Columbia, Idaho, and Montana.
"The traditional lands of the Kootenays include vast mountain ranges and river valleys across both sides of the modern border."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to the geographic region, it is often capitalized and preceded by the definite article as 'the Kootenays'. Note that 'Kootenay' is the standard spelling in Canada, whereas 'Kootenai' is commonly used in the United States.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the name of the Indigenous Ktunaxa (Kutenai) people of the Pacific Northwest. The region was named by European explorers and settlers after the people who historically inhabited the area.