meanwhile
Americannoun
adverb
-
in the intervening time; during the interval.
-
at the same time.
Meanwhile, the others were back home enjoying themselves.
adverb
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during the intervening time or period
-
at the same time, esp in another place
noun
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
Compare meaning
How does meanwhile compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Iran's women's team, meanwhile, are preparing for their first match of the Asia Cup in Australia.
From BBC
The United Nations Security Council, meanwhile, has called for an emergency meeting today at 4 p.m.
From Barron's
Nvidia’s stock, meanwhile, has been in search of a positive catalyst.
From MarketWatch
Netflix, meanwhile, now needs to convince investors that its pursuit of Warner wasn’t coming from a place of weakness.
Dean, meanwhile, has two chances at winning the title with Man I Need and Rein Me In, the latter a chart-topping duet with Fender.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
