meanwhile

American  

[meen-hwahyl, -wahyl] / ˈminˌʰwaɪl, -ˌwaɪl /

noun

1. meantime.

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adverb

1. in the intervening time; during the interval.

2. at the same time.

   Meanwhile, the others were back home enjoying themselves.

meanwhile British  

/ ˈmiːnˌwaɪl /

adverb

1. during the intervening time or period

2. at the same time, esp in another place

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noun

1. another word for meantime

Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of meanwhile

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

Compare meaning

How does meanwhile compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• meantime vs. meanwhile

Example Sentences

Littler, meanwhile, safely made it through to the last eight by beating fellow Englishman Ross Smith.

From BBC

Crown Princess Mette-Marit meanwhile is very unwell with pulmonary fibrosis, and her doctors are preparing her for a lung transplant.

From BBC

Women's ice hockey, meanwhile, has its own version of Heated Rivalry.

From BBC

U.S. imports of Venezuelan oil, meanwhile, have soared.

From Los Angeles Times

Rising English star Woad, meanwhile, who only turned professional last year after claiming a third place finish at the Evian Championship as an amateur, drained four birdies with only one bogey in her three-under-par 69.

From Barron's