# meanwhile

/ˈminˌwaɪɫ/ (US) · /mˈiːnwaɪl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/meanwhile
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. at the same time

adverb · CEFR B1

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

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

- The chef was preparing the main course; meanwhile, the waiters were setting the tables.
- 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. in the time between

adverb · CEFR B1

during the time between now and a future event.

For teachers: during an intervening period of time; for the time being.

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

### 3. the time between

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

the period of time between two events.

For teachers: the intervening time or period between two specific events.

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

Teaching tip: In modern English, 'in the meantime' is much more common than 'in the meanwhile'.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.