in the meanwhile

In the time before something else finishes or is supposed to happen. We need to wait for the movie to download. Let's get the popcorn ready in the meanwhile. We're working to make this right, but in the meanwhile, please accept this voucher for a free meal as an apology. I know your computer's down, so I called IT. File this paperwork in the meanwhile.

in the ˈmeantime/ˈmeanwhile

in the time between two things happening: In five minutes, there’s the news. In the meantime, here’s some music. ♢ The bus doesn’t leave until six o’clock. In the meantime we can go and have a coffee. ♢ I hope to go to medical school eventually. In the meanwhile, I’m going to study chemistry.