This is the 127th most frequent Arabic word.
وكانت
"وكانت" means "and she/it was" in English.
In this sentence, 'وكانت' is used as the past tense of 'to be,' describing a continuous state in the past.
وكانت الشمس مشرقة في السماء.
And the sun was shining in the sky.
Here, 'وكانت' introduces an ongoing action in the past, showing a habitual activity.
وكانت الطفلة تلعب في الحديقة.
And the little girl was playing in the garden.
In this instance, 'وكانت' indicates a state or description of the 'idea' in the past.