Wisconsin is a state in the United States, located in the Midwest. "Wisconsin" is an English version of a French adaptation of an Indian word. The Ojibwa word Meskousing meaning "gathering of the waters," was written as Ouisconsin by the French, and changed to its current form by the English. Wisconsin originally was applied to the Wisconsin River, and later to the area as a whole when Wisconsin became a territory. The state's name is abbreviated WI, Wis, or Wisc.