'while' is often used when the action is taking place at the same time as the person ex. "Okay, you wash the dishes while I clean the house." Unless past terms were used "She looked back while he walked away." "Meanwhile" can also be a present term where an action is done but may not be at the same place as the other one "The neverland kids tucked themselves to sleep, meanwhile Wendy stayed up with her thoughts of Peter Pan."

Hey WilliamVZ, I shall provide you an explanation over the difference between these expressions: 1) ''While'' = it can be used in time clauses, for example: If one thing happens ''while'' another thing is happening, the two things happen at the same time. E.g.: ''He stayed with me while he was looking for a new house.'' E.g.: ''While I was out she was trying to reach me on the phone.'' * ''While'' has a special use which is not related to time. You use it to introduce a clause that contrasts with something else that you are saying. E.g.: ''My sister loved sports while my brother preferred to read a book.'' ** ''A while'' = ''A while'' is a period of time. E.g.: ''After a while, my eyes got used to the darkness.'' E.g.: ''Let's just sit down for a while.'' 2) ''Meanwhile'' = in the intervening time; during the interval; at the same time. E.g.: ''Meanwhile, life goes on.'' E.g.: ''The child had gone home. Meanwhile, his mother was searching for him in the street.'' Hope that helps!!!

They both mean for a period of time, it's just the way you use them in a sentence. Example, stand here while I get some information, I am going to get some information, meanwhile you stand here.