whereas

American  

[hwair-, wair-az] / ʰwɛər-, wɛərˈæz /

conjunction

1. while on the contrary.

   One arrived promptly, whereas the others hung back.

2. it being the case that, or considering that (used especially in formal preambles).

---

noun

plural

whereases

1. a qualifying or introductory statement, especially one having “whereas” as the first word.

   to read the whereases in the will.

whereas British  

/ wɛərˈæz /

conjunction

1. (coordinating) but on the other hand

   I like to go swimming whereas Sheila likes to sail

---

1. (in formal documents to begin sentences) it being the case that; since

Etymology

Origin of whereas

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English wheras; equivalent to where + as ¹

Example Sentences

Revenue amounted to $1.85 billion, up 20% from a year before, whereas analysts were modeling $1.73 billion.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

“Laurie, assuming that one day she might play the role, has never seen a production of the play whereas Nathan has many of them,” Mantello said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

Scottish residents do not pay for NHS medical prescriptions, whereas there is a £9.90 prescription charge in England for 2026/27.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

One example, said Hentze, was labeling the modernization of public hospitals as investment whereas much of this money was going into operating costs.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

They knew the war to be a misfortune, whereas those who were better off, and should have been able to see more clearly what the consequences would be, were beside themselves with joy.

From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque