while

while1 [ waıl, hwaıl ] conjunction ***

1. ) at a moment during the time that something is happening:

Someone called while you were out.

While in Australia, she met and married Bert.

She had sprained her ankle while playing tennis.

2. ) at the same time that something is happening:

While in prison he shared a cell with Ron Spicer.

Could you take care of the children while I cook lunch?

3. ) FORMAL used for saying that although you accept that something is true, there are also doubts or facts that you cannot ignore:

While I agree with you, I do not believe that your way is best.

4. ) used when comparing things, situations, or people and showing how they are different:

While most people look forward to retirement, some cannot bear the thought.

The south of the country continues to grow richer, while the north grows poorer.

while

while 2 [ waıl, hwaıl ] noun singular ***

a period of time:

for a while: We haven't seen Barry for a while.

quite a while (=a fairly long period): I've been waiting here quite a while.

a short/little while: Couldn't you stay just a little while longer?

a while ago: Her mother died a while ago.

all the while

all the time that something is happening:

She pretended to be asleep, but all the while she was watching him.

=> ONCE

while

while 3 [ waıl, hwaıl ] verb

,while a`way phrasal verb transitive

to spend time in a relaxed way when you have nothing else to do:

We whiled away the Saturday afternoon sitting by the lake.