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。