whereas
Noun pluralwhereases
Pluralwhereases
- 1
- 2Used at the start of a legal sentence to mean 'since' or 'because.'
Like a 'because' that lawyers put at the very start of a contract.
Whereas the two companies wish to work together, they have signed this deal.
Whereas the tenant has paid all rent on time, the landlord agrees to renew the lease.
Similarsince
Note
- 3A part of a legal document that begins with the word 'whereas' and states a background fact.
Like the opening lines of a story that set the scene before anything happens.
The contract opened with a long whereas explaining why the deal was needed.
Each whereas in the agreement listed one fact about the property.
Similarrecital
Note
Less common meaning
- 4In or at the place where something is or happens.
They returned to the village whereas they were born.
He sought the hall whereas the king sat.
Note
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
It comes from "where" plus "as" (meaning "that"). It was first used in the 1300s.