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REFERENCE

meanwhile

adv. · n.
US //ˈminˌwaɪɫ// UK //mˈiːnwaɪl// mean·while
  1. 1 at the same time (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate

    at the same time that something else is happening, usually in a different place.

    occurring simultaneously with another event, often used to shift the narrative focus to a different location.

    Example

    The chef was preparing the main course; meanwhile, the waiters were setting the tables.

    Example

    The lead scientists monitored the data in the control room; meanwhile, the field team braved the storm to collect physical samples.

    Usage

    Usually placed at the beginning of a sentence to connect it to the previous one.
  2. 2 in the time between (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate

    during the time between now and a future event.

    during an intervening period of time; for the time being.

    Example

    The bus doesn't arrive for twenty minutes; meanwhile, let's get a coffee.

    Example

    The board will not reach a final decision until next month; meanwhile, the department must continue operating under the current budget.

    Usage

    Often used to describe a temporary action while waiting for a primary event.
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  1. 3 the time between (n.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    the period of time between two events.

    the intervening time or period between two specific events.

    Example

    The movie starts at eight, so in the meanwhile, we can walk around the park.

    Example

    The treaty was signed in June, but in the meanwhile, sporadic fighting continued along the border regions.

    Usage

    Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'in the meanwhile'.

    Teacher's tip

    In modern English, 'in the meantime' is much more common than 'in the meanwhile'.
Origin

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.

Word family

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