the whole time
noun
1
: since something began : during the entire period of time
The police knew the whole time who was guilty.
2
British
: at all times : always
You can't be right the whole time.
3
British, informal
: very often
My sisters and I used to fight the whole time.
Examples of the whole time in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Major League Eating speed-eating record for giant cabbage is 6 pounds, 9 ounces in 9 minutes, held by Charles Hardy, who was ahead the whole time.
—
Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
Was the leadership team aligned the whole time?
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026
Chicago Fire Department Deputy District Chief Jason Lach said members of the CFD dive team would be standing by the whole time in dry suits with extra thermal layers.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
The signs have been there the whole time.
—Samantha Highfill, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the whole time
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
Was the leadership team aligned the whole time?
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026
Chicago Fire Department Deputy District Chief Jason Lach said members of the CFD dive team would be standing by the whole time in dry suits with extra thermal layers.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
The signs have been there the whole time.
—Samantha Highfill, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the whole time
Cite this Entry
“The whole time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20whole%20time. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
