meantime

1 of 3

noun (1)

mean·​time ˈmēn-ˌtīm How to pronounce meantime (audio)
: the time before something happens or before a specified period ends
The new computers won't arrive until next week, but we can continue to use the old ones in the meantime.

meantime

2 of 3

adverb

: meanwhile entry 2
meantime he had been attentive to his other interestsH. R. Warfel

mean time

3 of 3

noun (2)

: time that is based on the motion of the theoretical mean sun
To find local mean time, determine how many degrees of longitude you are from your time-zone standard. (Find your longitude on a map.) Multiply this number by four to get your correction in minutes. If you are east of the standard longitude your correction is a positive number; if you are west it is negative. Apply the correction to standard time to get your local mean time.Sky & Telescope

called also mean solar time

Examples of meantime in a Sentence

Adverb He can come back to work when he's feeling better. Meantime, he should be resting as much as possible.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The motorcycles will not be returning to the roads until spring and the MSP will work in the meantime to make sure all necessary safety measures are in place to ensure maximum trooper safety, Shaw said. Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press, 15 Feb. 2024 That lets trains passing through the area sound their horns in the meantime. Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2024 The appellate court ruling is stayed in the meantime. Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner, 11 Jan. 2024 In the brief meantime, all the gases inside your body, including any air still in your lungs, would expand in the absence of external pressure. Kim Tingley, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2023 Get started with these 18 Amazon Prime Day perfume deals in the meantime. Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 5 Oct. 2023 Nearly all of those who supported the county’s declaration and request for federal support also called for more to be done in the meantime. Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2023 Get started with these 12 Amazon Prime Day perfume deals in the meantime. Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 6 Sep. 2023 One other way to cut costs If your school is no longer accepting appeals, there are other ways students can save some cash in the meantime, said Miranda McCall, Duke University’s Assistant Vice Provost and Director of Undergraduate Financial Support. Ellie Stevens, CNN, 26 Aug. 2023
Adverb
Paul, meantime, faces fellow American Bourland, who is making his return to the ring since his last fight in September 2022. Tim Chan, Variety, 2 Mar. 2024 Arnett, meantime, plays a father who needs to pick up soccer cleats for his daughter. Tim Chan, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024 The Mutiny, meantime, is under different management and has been renovated more than once since the cocaine cowboys roamed its halls in the early 1980s. Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2024 The Rangers, meantime, are looking for their first trip to the World Series since 2011. Tim Chan, Variety, 23 Oct. 2023 Active military personnel and veterans, meantime, can take 20% off their purchase using the discount code 4OURMILITARY. Tim Chan, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Sep. 2023 The music video, meantime, was shot by Emmanuelle Pickett, who’s earned acclaim for her most recent film, the crime thriller All Souls (starring G-Eazy). Tim Chan, Rolling Stone, 21 Dec. 2023 Reid inherited mediocre quarterbacks in Brady Quinn and Matt Cassel. Dean Spanos, meantime, was creating a new leadership team meant to build a Super Bowl-level roster around Philip Rivers, 32. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Dec. 2023 Covington, meantime, returns to the octagon for the first time since March 2022. Tim Chan, Variety, 16 Dec. 2023
Noun
When issues arise, generative AI quickly identifies the root cause and suggests predefined automation procedures for remediation, reducing mean time to recovery (MTTR). Dave Link, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 In the mean time, Szczygielski was forced to tear down the house, after discovering issues with asbestos and a bee infestation. Ben Wieder, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2024 The mean time between failures (MTBF) directly impacts the SLAs offered by the operations team. Janakiram Msv, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2023 In the mean time, Younger will be busy creating even more handmade works to adorn yourself with. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 12 July 2023 Just because things change doesn’t mean time’s up. Annie Berke, Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2022 In the mean time, catch LaBelle nail her role. Jackie Fields, PEOPLE.com, 28 June 2021 In the mean time, build up your own online presence through a simple website and professional social media channels. Jamie Ballard, Woman's Day, 24 Feb. 2020 In the mean time, frustration is lingering. Nat Herz, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Feb. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'meantime.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

circa 1593, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1751, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of meantime was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near meantime

Cite this Entry

“Meantime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meantime. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

meantime

1 of 2 noun
mean·​time ˈmēn-ˌtīm How to pronounce meantime (audio)
: the time between two events

meantime

2 of 2 adverb
: in the meantime

More from Merriam-Webster on meantime

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!