The meaning of WHILE is a period of time especially when short and marked by the occurrence of an action or a condition : time. How to use while in a sentence.

While and whilst mean the same when we use them as conjunctions. They both mean ‘during the time that something else happens’, or ‘in contrast with something else’.

To spend (time) idly or pleasantly: while the hours away. [Middle English, from Old English hwīl; see k w eiə- in Indo-European roots.]

Feb 4, 2026 · Noun while (plural (archaic or informal) whiles) An uncertain duration of time, a period of time.

'While' is a subordinating conjunction used to indicate a simultaneous action or condition between two clauses. It helps create complex sentences by connecting an independent clause with a dependent …

While implies less of contrast in the parallel than though, sometimes, indeed, implying no contrast at all. Thus we say, “ While I admire his bravery, I esteem his moderation;” but “ though I admire his …

While describes a length of time. If you were describing a first date, you might say, "We sat there for a while in an incredibly awkward silence." Use the word while to talk about an unspecific period of time, …