Meanwhile

Origin

From Middle English. Adverb is by ellipsis from in the mean while, noun being conventionally written as one word after the adverb.

Full definition of meanwhile

Noun

1. The time between two events.

Adverb

1. During the time (that something is happening).
2. At the same time, but elsewhere.
• 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter 19, Meanwhile Nanny Broome was recovering from her initial panic and seemed anxious to make up for any kudos she might have lost, by exerting her personality to the utmost. She took the policeman's helmet and placed it on a chair, and unfolded his tunic to shake it and fold it up again for him.

Synonyms

• (during the time) meanwhilst
• (at the same time but elsewhere) in the meantime, meantime, meanwhilst, the while