whereas

UK: /^hwɛərˈæz/ US: /hwɛrˈæz, wɛr-/ ,(hwâr az′, wâr-)

Inflections of 'whereas' (n): npl: whereases

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

where•as /hwɛrˈæz, wɛr-/   conj. 

1. while on the contrary:
   One student arrived promptly, whereas the others came late.
2. it being the case that:
   Whereas we wish to set the record straight, be it resolved that we reaffirm our allegiance to the party.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

where•as  (hwâr az′, wâr-), conj., n., pl. where•as•es. 
conj. 

1. while on the contrary:
   One arrived promptly, whereas the others hung back.
2. it being the case that, or considering that (used esp. in formal preambles).

n. 

3. a qualifying or introductory statement, esp. one having "whereas'' as the first word:
   to read the whereases in the will.

• 1300–50; Middle English wheras; see where, as¹

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

whereas / wɛərˈæz/ conjunction

1. (coordinating) but on the other hand: I like to go swimming whereas Sheila likes to sail

sentence_connector

1. (in formal documents to begin sentences) it being the case that; since