meanwhile

[meen-hwahyl, -wahyl]

noun

1. meantime.

adverb

1. in the intervening time; during the interval.

2. at the same time.

   Meanwhile, the others were back home enjoying themselves.

meanwhile

/ ˈmiːnˌwaɪl /

adverb

1. during the intervening time or period

2. at the same time, esp in another place

noun

1. another word for meantime

Word History and Origins

Origin of meanwhile¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English; mean ³ + while

Example Sentences

The Israeli military, meanwhile, said its troops had killed "several terrorists" who attempted to attack their position in Gaza City.

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Most of the men in the clip, meanwhile, seem to represent the most unsavory examples of their gender.

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Ejae, meanwhile, offered an anecdote that suggests “Golden’s” success may have been preordained.

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Singer Charlotte Church, meanwhile, said she didn't have a game plan.

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The Kings, meanwhile, rarely challenged Colorado’s Scott Wedgewood, playing tentatively and creating little offense, putting just nine shots on goal through the first 36 minutes.

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When To Use

What does meanwhile mean?

Meanwhile means in or during the time between the current time and the time when something else happens, as in Our guests will arrive in about an hour—meanwhile, let’s get the food ready. It can also mean at the same time, as in When I got to my apartment, I realized I had forgotten my key—meanwhile, everyone was already hiding inside for my surprise party. Both of these senses of meanwhile are adverbs. As an adverb, meanwhile is often used at the beginning of a sentence to connect the statement that follows with something that was just mentioned.The word meantime can also be used as an adverb in the same ways that meanwhile is, but meanwhile is much more commonly as an adverb.Meanwhile can also be used as a noun meaning the period of time between two events, as in The power will come back on soon, so let’s just enjoy the quiet in the meanwhile. The word meantime is much more commonly used in this way.Example: Mix the batter; meanwhile, preheat the oven.