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. See meantime
   another word for meantime

Word History and Origins

Origin of meanwhile¹

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

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, in Florida, Bush was flooded with questions about whether gay marriage could possibly come to the Sunshine State.

From The Daily Beast

Meanwhile, almost exactly 30 years after the trial, the judge left his home to board a steamboat and was never heard from again.

From The Daily Beast

Meanwhile two kids were taken from their mother when she flew back to the UK from Turkey.

From The Daily Beast

The woman in question, meanwhile, has business of her own to take care of—she is reported to be shopping a memoir.

From The Daily Beast

Meanwhile, the Anti-Defamation League issued a statement deploring the state GOP for its failure to censure Duke.

From The Daily Beast

Elizabeth, meanwhile, was filled with alarms respecting her daughter's unhappy infatuation.

From Project Gutenberg

Meanwhile, he had been selected as aide-de-camp by General d'Ure de Molans.

From Project Gutenberg

Meanwhile, the Australian submarine has got up through the Narrows and has torpedoed a gunboat at Chunuk.

From Project Gutenberg

None of them came; but meanwhile a very extraordinary thing happened, for the house itself began to go.

From Project Gutenberg

Meanwhile, another form of imitation is developing, the fashioning of lasting semblances.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Meanwhile

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.

Where does meanwhile come from?

The first records of meanwhile come from the 1300s. The mean in meanwhile is the sense of the word that means “occupying a middle position or an intermediate place.” When used as a noun, while means “a period or interval of time.”

Meanwhile is often used in discussions that involve things happening or being done while waiting for something else to happen. It’s also commonly used in descriptions of events happening at the same time. For example, Meanwhile… might be used as a caption in a comic or graphic novel to show that something is happening at the same time as what was shown in the previous panel. This is often used for comedic effect.

The expression meanwhile, back at the ranch is used as a humorous transition from one topic or discussion to another. It’s a reference to TV Westerns returning to the main setting (the ranch) to show what’s happening there after having shown action elsewhere.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for meanwhile?

• meantime
• concurrently
• simultaneously
• at the same time

What are some words that share a root or word element with meanwhile? 

 

• erstwhile
• meantime

What are some words that often get used in discussing meanwhile?

• do
• go
• time
• back

How is meanwhile used in real life?

Meanwhile is a very common word that can be used in all kinds of contexts. It’s usually used at the beginning of a sentence.

We will publish something interesting this weekend.
Meanwhile, let's take a look at @_rykllan 's beautiful Falcon family low poly model closeups.

EarthX will use these models in 0.3.3 and forward!#SpaceX pic.twitter.com/kbHICtvAXX

— EarthX (@EarthxGame) January 29, 2021

Ugo Humbert back in front. Point penalty for Nick Kyrgios for unsportsmanlike conduct after he was broken. Humbert takes the third set 6-3.

Halep, meanwhile, back at 5-5.

— George Bellshaw (@BellshawGeorge) February 10, 2021

Just got an e mail from a guy complaining about the terrible movies we’ve been showing , like “ The Invisible Man”- and how he and all his friends feel that way, and we’re losing viewers. Meanwhile, in the real world, our ratings nationally have never been higher.

— Svengoolie (@Svengoolie) February 16, 2021

 

Try using meanwhile!

Is meanwhile used correctly in the following sentence? 

My younger sister just got engaged—meanwhile, I can’t even get a date!