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

Peterson, meanwhile, established the first on-site daycare center at a federal government agency, to help support fellow employees.

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In recent days, meanwhile, the public got a glimpse of how far along things have improved for Blue Origin when it successfully launched cargo into orbit and then landed the rocket booster.

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The club, meanwhile, once a thriving institution with some 3,000 members, struggles to maintain a roster of 450 members, many of whom come from very different demographics.

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Italy’s stable outlook, meanwhile, takes into account its credit strengths, including reforms to boost public-sector efficiency and the broader business environment that could lead to more substantial improvement in its growth outlook, Moody’s said.

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The British Boxing Board of Control meanwhile has said it would not have sanctioned the fight on safety grounds.

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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.