meanwhile
n. timen. at the same time that something else is happening. You can also use it to talk about the time between two events.
n. during the intervening time or simultaneously with another action. Often functions as a sentence connector to introduce a parallel narrative or situation.
The dinner is cooking; meanwhile, I will set the table.
The engineers worked through the night to fix the server; meanwhile, the marketing team prepared a public apology.
The government implemented strict new environmental regulations; meanwhile, local businesses struggled to adapt their manufacturing processes to meet the sudden compliance requirements.
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.
Typically used as a sentence-starting adverb or after a semicolon to connect two independent clauses.
I was cooking and meanwhile he slept.I was cooking; meanwhile, he slept.Meanwhile is a conjunctive adverb, not a coordinating conjunction like 'and'; it requires a semicolon or a new sentence.