{
    "term": "while",
    "partOfSpeech": "conjunction",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "a2",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "during the time that something is happening; at the same time as something else is happening",
            "cefr": "a2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "We must have been burgled while we were asleep."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Her parents died while she was still at school."
                },
                {
                    "text": "While I was waiting at the bus stop, three buses went by in the opposite direction."
                },
                {
                    "text": "You can go swimming while I'm having lunch."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Shoes mended while you wait *(= on a shop sign)*"
                }
            ],
            "synonyms": "when"
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "used to contrast two things",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "While Tom's very good at science, his brother is absolutely hopeless."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Some people work better to music while others do not."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Opinion and argument"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "although; despite the fact that…",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "While I am willing to help, I do not have much time available."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Opinion and argument"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to suggest that somebody could do something while they are doing something else",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "‘I'm just going to buy some postcards.’ ‘Can you get me some stamps while you're at it?’"
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/waɪl/",
                "audio": "wh/while/while__gb_2.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/waɪl/",
                "audio": "wh/while/while__us_1.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Old English hwīl ‘period of time’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wijl, German Weile; the conjunction is an abbreviation of Old English thā hwīle the ‘the while that’."
}