While means a period of time.
(noun)An example of while is how long a person has to wait for to see the doctor.
While is defined as during or in a certain time.
(conjunction)An example of while is cookies baking during the same time that caramel is being made on the stove top.
See while in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
Origin: ME < OE hwil, akin to Ger weile < IE base *kweye-, to rest > L quies, quiet
conjunction
See while in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
Origin:
Origin: Middle English
Origin: , from Old English hwīl; see kweiə- in Indo-European roots
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