中学英语考试的时候通常会考到while和when的区别。其实连词while一个典型的含义就是：at the same time。以下是各词典中对此用法的详解。

《牛高》

while ²  

/ waɪl; US hwaɪl; hwaɪl/ (also whilst / waɪlst; US hwaɪlst; hwaɪlst/) conj
(a) during the time that; when 在...期间; 当...的时候: He fell asleep while (he was) doing his homework. 他做着做着功课就睡着了. * While I was in Madrid there was a carnival. 我在马德里的时候正赶上狂欢节. * While (locked up) in prison, she wrote her first novel. 她在狱中写出了第一部小说. (b) at the same time as 与...同时: While Mary was writing a letter, the children were playing outside. 玛丽写信时孩子都在外面玩儿. * He listens to the radio while driving to work. 他去上班一边开着车一边听音乐. * I lived in a hostel while I was a student. 我求学期间住在青年招待所里.

《朗文》

     while I'm/you're etc at/about it
spoken used to suggest that someone should do something at the same time that they do something else
　 Print out what you've written, and while you're at it make a copy for me.

《美国传统》

At the same time that; although:

在…同时；尽管，虽然：

While the grandparents love the children, they are strict with them.

“虽然祖父母们都爱他们的孩子，但却对他们要求严格”

《柯林斯高级英语学习词典第5版》

If something happens while something else is happening, the two things are happening at the same time.
Racing was halted for an hour while the track was repaired...
Her parents could help with child care while she works.

《麦克米兰英语词典 – American》

2 at the same time that something is happening:
While in prison he shared a cell with Ron Spicer.
Could you take care of the children while I cook lunch?