while Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition
    spell; piece; patch.
    • he was here for a little while
    • I need to rest for a piece
    • a spell of good weather
    • a patch of bad weather

WordNet

While noun
Etymology
AS. hwil; akin to OS. hwil, hwila, OFries. hwile, D. wigl, G. weile, OHG. wila, hwila, hwil, Icel. hvila a bed, hvild rest, Sw. hvila, Dan. hvile, Goth. hweila a time, and probably to L. quietus quiet, and perhaps to Gr. the proper time of season. Cf. Quiet, Whilom.
Definitions
  1. Space of time, or continued duration, esp. when short; a time; as, one while we thought him innocent. "All this while." Shak.
    This mighty queen may no while endure. Chaucer.
    [Some guest that] hath outside his welcome while, And tells the jest without the smile. Coleridge.
    I will go forth and breathe the air a while. Longfellow.
  2. That which requires time; labor; pains. Obs.
    Satan . . . cast him how he might quite her while. Chaucer.
While transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Whiled ; present participle & verbal noun Whiling
Definitions
  1. To cause to pass away pleasantly or without irksomeness or disgust; to spend or pass; -- usually followed by away.
    The lovely lady whiled the hours away. Longfellow.
While intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To loiter. R. Spectator.
While conjunction
Definitions
  1. During the time that; as long as; whilst; at the same time that; as, while I write, you sleep. "While I have time and space." Chaucer.
    Use your memory; you will sensibly experience a gradual improvement, while you take care not to overload it. I. Watts.
  2. Hence, under which circumstances; in which case; though; whereas.
While preposition
Definitions
  1. Until; till. Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.
    I may be conveyed into your chamber; I'll lie under your bed while midnight. Beau. & Fl.

Webster 1913