其间，同时　 in the time between two events; at the same time

1. meanwhile的基本意思是“其间，与此同时”，指在一件事情发生的过程中或者一段时间内另一件事也在发生。
2. meanwhile用作副词时，也可拼作meantime，为非正式英语。

　She's due to arrive on Thursday. Meanwhile, what do we do?　她预定星期四到达，这期间我们做什么呢?
　I went to college. Meanwhile, all my friends got well-paid jobs.　我上大学去了，那时，我的朋友都找到了收入不错的工作。
　They'll be here soon. Meanwhile, let's have some coffee.　他们很快就到这里，我们趁此喝点咖啡吧。
　Eve was cutting the grass, meanwhile Adam was playing roses.　夏娃在剪草，亚当在种玫瑰。

　meanwhile　有时也可用作名词，多用在in the meanwhile短语中，意思与meanwhile相同，但不如meanwhile用得普遍。例如：
　The next programme starts in five minutes; in the meanwhile, here's some music.　下一个节目5分钟后开始，现在先播放些音乐。
　The new secretary won't come until next week; in the meanwhile we've arranged for a temporary one.　新秘书在下周前还不会来，在此期间，我们已经安排了一位临时秘书。
　In the meanwhile I'll wash the dishes.　与此同时，我要洗洗盘子。