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
Several people have been living at the site the whole time it’s been open, over a year, and still have not been able to move into permanent housing.
—
Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024
According to the report, Cosme was looking down at her testing device the whole time.
—David Chiu, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
Perry agreed with Richie and said she was locked in with Gartner the whole time.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2024
One guest was on her phone nearly the whole time — texting and even watching live videos that her friends posted while others were trying to have a conversation.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
When a doctor prescribes you treatment, follow their instructions and stick with it for the whole time you’re supposed to—even if your symptoms get better.
—Mara Santilli, SELF, 21 Mar. 2024
The ceramic nonstick pan heats up quickly and cooks evenly, with the handle staying cool the whole time.
—Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2024
But, at the appointment, Gazal broke down, crying the whole time and telling her mom to answer the questions.
—Eliza Griswold, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2024
Don’t fiddle with phones and cameras or computers the whole time.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2024
Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024
According to the report, Cosme was looking down at her testing device the whole time.
—David Chiu, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
Perry agreed with Richie and said she was locked in with Gartner the whole time.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2024
One guest was on her phone nearly the whole time — texting and even watching live videos that her friends posted while others were trying to have a conversation.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
When a doctor prescribes you treatment, follow their instructions and stick with it for the whole time you’re supposed to—even if your symptoms get better.
—Mara Santilli, SELF, 21 Mar. 2024
The ceramic nonstick pan heats up quickly and cooks evenly, with the handle staying cool the whole time.
—Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2024
But, at the appointment, Gazal broke down, crying the whole time and telling her mom to answer the questions.
—Eliza Griswold, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2024
Don’t fiddle with phones and cameras or computers the whole time.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the whole time.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near 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 23 Apr. 2024.
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