meanwhile

/ˈmiːnwaɪl/

meanwhile · adv — during the time that something is happening, often specifically in a different place.

Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).

meanwhile is pronounced /ˈmiːnwaɪl/.

Etymology

From Middle English menewhile, equivalent to mean (“intermediate”) + while. Adverb is by ellipsis from in the mean while, noun being conventionally written as one word after the adjective.

adv

During the time that something is happening, often specifically in a different place.e.g.“There was a party going on downstairs. Meanwhile, I was reading a book.”
During an intervening time; from now until a future time.e.g.“We’re going on holiday next month; meanwhile, keep working on the project.”
In contrast to aspects previously mentioned.e.g.“Some songs on the album are beautiful. Meanwhile, others are quite forgettable.”

noun

The time between two events.e.g.“In the meanwhile, the surveyors carried the line three miles, which was no contemptible day's work, considering how cruelly they were entangled with briers and gallbushes.” — Quoted in 2002, Stephen C. Ausband, Byrd's Line: A Natural History (page 37)

Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Words closest in meaning

By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.

meantime 85% match — The time spent waiting for another event; time in between. vs meanwhile →
betweentimes 72% match — In an interim period; meanwhile. vs meanwhile →
interlapse 72% match — The time between two events. vs meanwhile →
meanwhilst 72% match — meanwhile vs meanwhile →
therewhile 64% match — At that time; at the same time vs meanwhile →
betweenwhiles 64% match — from time to time; now and again vs meanwhile →
midtime 64% match — The time that occurs in the middle; the point midway through an event, etc. vs meanwhile →
intermomentary 60% match — Between moments in time. vs meanwhile →