Definitions for While
ʰwaɪl, waɪlwhile

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:3.0 / 7 votes

1. while, piece, spell, patchnoun

   a period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition

   "he was here for a little while"; "I need to rest for a piece"; "a spell of good weather"; "a patch of bad weather"

WiktionaryRate this definition:4.4 / 7 votes

1. whilenoun

   A certain duration of time, a period of time.

   He lectured for quite a long while.

2. whileverb

   To pass (time) idly.

3. whileconjunction

   During the same time that.

   He was sleeping while I was singing.

4. whileconjunction

   although

   This case, while interesting, is a bit frustrating.

5. whileconjunction

   until

6. Etymology: hwil. Cognate with wil.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. While, Whiles, Whilstadverb

   Whiles is now out of use.

   Etymology: hwile , Saxon.

   1. During the time that.

   Whiles I was protector,
   Pity was all the fault that was in me. William Shakespeare, Henry VI.

   What we have, we prize not to the worth,
   Whiles we enjoy it; but being lackt and lost,
   Why, then we rack the value. William Shakespeare.

   Repeated, while the sedentary earth
   Attains her end. John Milton.

   2. As long as.

   Use your memory, and you will sensibly experience a gradual improvement, while you take care not to over-load it. Isaac Watts, Logick.

   3. At the same time that.

   Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God, for your professed subjection unto the Gospel. 2 Cor. ix.

   Can he imagine that God sends forth an irresistible strength against some sins, whilst in others he permits men a power of repelling his grace? Decay of Piety.

2. Whilenoun

   Time; space of time.

   Etymology: weil, German; hwile , Saxon.

   If my beauty be any thing, then let it obtain this much of you, that you will remain some while in this company, to ease your own travel and our solitariness. Philip Sidney.

   I have seen her rise from her bed, and again return to bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleep. William Shakespeare, Macbeth.

   One while we thought him innocent,
   And then w’ accus’d the consul. Ben Jonson, Catiline.

   I hope all ingenuous persons will advertise me fairly, if they think it worth their while, of what they dislike in it. Digby.

   Pausing a while, thus to herself she mus’d. John Milton.

   How couldst thou look for other, but that God should condemn thee for the doing of those things for which thine own conscience did condemn thee, all the while thou wast doing of them? John Tillotson.

   That which I have all this while been endeavouring to convince men to, is no other but what God himself doth particularly recommend. John Tillotson.

   Few, without the hope of another life, would think it worth their while to live above the allurements of sense. Francis Atterbury.

   What fate has disposed of the papers, ’tis not worth while to tell. John Locke.

3. To Whileverb

   To loiter.

   Etymology: from the noun.

   Men guilty this way never have observed that the whiling time, the gathering together, and waiting a little before dinner, is the most aukwardly passed away of any. Spectator.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. While

   While is a word in the English language that functions both as a noun and as a subordinating conjunction. Its meaning varies largely based on its intended function, position in the phrase and even the writer or speaker's regional dialect. As a conjunction, it is synonymous with the word whilst, a form often considered archaic in American English, as well as in some style guides on both sides of the Atlantic.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. while

   A "while" is a programming construct that allows a set of instructions to be repeated as long as a certain condition is true. It is often used in loops, where the instructions within the while loop are executed repeatedly until the condition becomes false.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:4.0 / 1 vote

1. Whilenoun

   space of time, or continued duration, esp. when short; a time; as, one while we thought him innocent

2. Whilenoun

   that which requires time; labor; pains

3. Whileverb

   to cause to pass away pleasantly or without irksomeness or disgust; to spend or pass; -- usually followed by away

4. Whileverb

   to loiter

5. While

   during the time that; as long as; whilst; at the same time that; as, while I write, you sleep

6. While

   hence, under which circumstances; in which case; though; whereas

7. While

   until; till

8. Etymology: [AS. hwl; akin to OS. hwl, hwla, OFries. hwle, D. wigl, G. weile, OHG. wla, hwla, hwl, Icel. hvla a bed, hvld rest, Sw. hvila, Dan. hvile, Goth. hweila a time, and probably to L. quietus quiet, and perhaps to Gr. the proper time of season. 20. Cf. Quiet, Whilom.]

FreebaseRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. While

   "While" is a word in the English language that functions both as a noun and as a subordinating conjunction. Its meaning varies largely based on its intended function, position in the phrase and even the writer or speaker's regional dialect. As a conjunction, it is synonymous with the word "whilst", a form often considered archaic in American and Canadian English, as well as in some style guides on both sides of the Atlantic.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. While

   hwīl, n. a space of time: trouble spent.—adv. during the time that: at the same time that, as long as.—v.t. to cause to pass without irksomeness (with away).—conjs. While, Whilst, as long as: at the same time that: (Shak.) until; Whiles (B.), while, at the same time that.—adv. (Scot.) at times (orig. gen. of A.S. hwíl).—advs. Whī′lom, Whī′lome (Milt.), formerly, once (orig. dat. pl. of A.S. hwíl, time).—Every once in a while, now and then; The while (Shak.), in the meantime; The whilst (Shak.), while: in the meantime; Worth while, worth the trouble and time taken. [A.S. hwíl; Goth. hweila, Ger. weile.]

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. while

   A period of known time.

   While at the shop we saw some new cheese we thought we'd try.

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on March 19, 2020  

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. While

   While vs. Whilst -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words While and Whilst.

Surnames Frequency by Census RecordsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. WHILE

   According to the U.S. Census Bureau, While is ranked #103655 in terms of the most common surnames in America.
   
   The While surname appeared 173 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 would have the surname While.
   
   75.7% or 131 total occurrences were White.
   16.1% or 28 total occurrences were Black.
   4.6% or 8 total occurrences were of Hispanic origin.

Matched Categories

1. • Time

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'While' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #149

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'While' in Written Corpus Frequency: #554

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'While' in Nouns Frequency: #744

How to pronounce While?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say While in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of While in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of While in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of While in a Sentence

1. Deryck Whibley:

   It’s still early but we plan on having new music as early as 2019, even while I’m on stage playing I can sort of map out ideas while I’m performing other songs; I can sort of see how I would write something. It’s weird, but when you get to a certain point on tour, you can write your grocery list while you’re on stage, so I was actually kind of writing some ideas in my head while I was performing.

2. Yohanan Plesner:

   . ( AP Photo/Oded Balilty) With seeming boundless energy, the 70-year-old Netanyahu has taken to the airwaves and hit the campaign trail, presenting himself to adoring audiences as a global statesman uniquely qualified to lead the country through its many complicated challenges. In recent weeks, he jetted from the White House to Moscow to bring home a young Israeli woman jailed there on drug charges, and flew to Uganda for a meeting with a leader of Sudan, a longtime enemy country. We have turned Israel into a world power, a leader in cyber technology, natural gas, water, agriculture, technology, intelligence, Netanyahu boasted at a recent campaign stop. He claims credit for a strong economy and boasts of his close relationships with world leaders, first and foremost President Donald Trump, while deriding opponent Benny Gantz as a lightweight. In a message that has drawn accusations of racism, he also accuses Gantz of plotting with Arab lawmakers to oust him. In recent days, Netanyahu and his Netanyahus Likud surrogates spread unfounded allegations claiming his opponent is corrupt, unstable and susceptible to blackmail by Iran. Benny Gantz, CITES TWO ADVISERS WHO LIKENED President Donald Trump TO HITLER Being prime minister of Israel is a complicated thing, full of pressures 24 hours a day, Netanyahu added. I dont think Benny Gantz can handle it. Benny Gantz, a former military chief of staff, has focused Benny Gantz campaign on Netanyahus character, saying a man accused of serious crimes is unfit to lead. Benny Gantz has painted Netanyahu as an out-of-touch egomaniac obsessed with remaining in power and escaping justice, while portraying Benny Gantz as a moderate alternative to the polarizing prime minister. Netanyahu, look me in the eye. Because of your obsession with evading trial, youre lying, attacking, dividing, mudslinging, spreading malicious rumors and inciting. Netanyahu, youre poisoning Israel, Gantz said last week. Netanyahu, youve lost it, and youre unworthy of being prime minister for even a single day longer. Weekend polls, the last to be published before the vote, showed Gantzs Blue and White and Netanyahus Likud party in a tight race, though Gantzs party has shown some small signs of slippage over the past week. Even so, the polls forecast both parties and their smaller partners will again fall short of securing the 61-seat majority in parliament required to form a government. The easiest way out of the deadlock would be a unity government between the two parties, which together are expected to control a solid majority in the 120-seat parliament. But Benny Gantz says Benny Gantz will only form a partnership with Netanyahus Likud if Netanyahu steps down. Netanyahu says he must remain prime minister in any unity deal. The deadlock raised the possibility of a fourth election in quick succession. Turnout of key voting groups could end up deciding the race. Weather may play a role, along with fears of the new corona virus which so far has been kept largely in check. Israel set up some 15 stations to allow voting by the hundreds of Israelis who are in home-quarantine after possible exposure to the virus. The biggest obstacle may be voter fatigue. People are fed up. They think were doomed to another gridlock, so whats the point of voting ? said Guy Ben-Porat, chairman of the department of politics and government at Israels Ben-Gurion University. I think this is the decisive factor in turnout, but I cant tell on which side it will work more. Netanyahu has been charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of scandals in which he is accused of accepting lavish gifts from wealthy friends or exchanging favors with powerful media moguls. With his trial set to start March 17, he is desperate to remain in office. As prime minister, Netanyahu can use his position to rally public support and lash out at what he claims is a vast conspiracy by police, overzealous prosecutors and a hostile media to oust him. Israeli law allows a prime minister to remain in office even if charged with a crime, while requiring other public officials to resign once indicted. While another stalemate seems to be likely, the election could still deliver surprises. Late last week, the Justice Ministry said it would open an investigation into possible financial wrongdoing by a start-up security firm that Benny Gantz chaired after leaving the military. The late-hour announcement was blasted by Gantzs supporters as politically motivated, but its not clear if its had an impact on voters. The firm, which later went out of business, is believed to have won a lucrative police contract without going through a bidding process. Benny Gantz was not named as a suspect. If Netanyahu and his allies can somehow muster a majority, it would give him a new lifeline along with hopes of passing legislation to protect him from prosecution. Gantzs road to victory is even trickier. Cobbling together a coalition would likely rely on outside support from Arab-majority parties a politically unpopular choice that Benny Gantz has ruled out. It also would likely require the support of Avigdor Lieberman, a former Netanyahu ally. Avigdor Lieberman, a wily political operator who has long caused headaches for Netanyahu, has refused to commit to either candidate. But Avigdor Lieberman also has said Avigdor Lieberman will not allow a fourth consecutive election, raising speculation Avigdor Lieberman will ultimately side with Benny Gantz. Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute, Israel Democracy Institute, said that if the polls are accurate, the country could face many more months of gridlock unless someone compromises. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Its uncharted territory.

3. Dazed and Confused:

   Dawson Well, all I'm saying is that I want to look back and say that I did it the best I could while I was stuck in this place. Had as much fun as I could while I was stuck in this place. Played as hard as I could while I was stuck in this place. Dogged as many girls as I could while I was stuck in this place.

4. Vince Lombardi:

   Winning is not a sometime thing it's an all time thing. You don't win once in a while, you don't do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.

5. Richard Milhous Nixon:

   Your mind must always go, even while you're shaking hands and going through all the maneuvers. I developed the ability long ago to do one thing while thinking about another.

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