# the while

> English word · Adverb

## Definitions
1. At the same time; during that period; meanwhile.

## Etymology
From Middle English þe while, from Old English þā hwīle, equivalent to the + while (noun).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/the-while