whereas
Noun pluralwhereases
Pluralwhereases
- 1Used to introduce one statement set in contrast with another, showing that one thing is true while the opposite holds for something else.
My sister spends every weekend hiking, whereas I would rather stay home with a book.
The first proposal focused on cutting costs, whereas the second emphasized long-term growth.
- 2Used to introduce a recital in a formal or legal document, meaning 'given that' or 'since,' setting out the facts behind an agreement.
Whereas the parties have agreed to settle their dispute, they hereby release all claims against each other.
Whereas the Council recognizes the urgent need for housing, it resolves to fund three new developments.
Similarsince
Note
Drafting language for preambles, where each background fact gets its own opening Whereas, often capitalized or set in bold so the recitals stand out. The United States Articles of Confederation (1778) chain them: 'And Whereas it hath pleased the Great Governor of the World…'. Nothing is being contrasted here. Read it as 'since,' not as the everyday contrastive conjunction.
- 3A clause in a legal document, beginning with the word 'whereas,' that sets out one of the background facts behind the agreement.
The lawyer added a whereas to record that both sides had negotiated in good faith.
The resolution's three whereases set out the facts before the operative clauses.
Similarrecital
Note
Here the conjunction becomes a countable noun, so it takes a plural: whereases. United States Congress hearings of 1908 grumble about 'a page or so of whereases,' and the word reaches well beyond courtrooms, into union conventions and society proceedings wherever resolutions carry preambles. Each one is a clause opened by the recital conjunction, and it sits comfortably beside preamble as a near-synonym.
Less common meaning
- 4Indicating the place in or at which something is or happens; where.
She led the travelers to the spring whereas the clear water rose from the rock.
The knight rode toward the castle whereas his lord awaited him.
Note
The original meaning, from which the others descend: where joined to as in its old sense of 'that,' so whereas first meant 'where that,' and it is recorded with this meaning from the 14th century. Spenser still writes it in The Faerie Queene (1590): 'home she came, whereas her mother blynd / Sate in eternall night.' Read it as plain where. Thereas was built the same way.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
This word was formed from "where" combined with "as" (in the sense of "that"), and is first attested in the 14th century, originally meaning "where."