whereas

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   Where (that).

   And home she came, whereas her mother blynd / Sate in eternall night […]

2. 2
   conj

   In contrast; whilst on the contrary; although.

   He came first in the race, whereas his brother came last.

3. 3
   conj

   It being the fact that; inasmuch as. (Often used to begin recitals; sometimes emboldened or emphasized as a signifier.)

   And Whereas it hath pleased the Great Governor of the World to incline the hearts of the legislatures we respectively represent in Congress, to approve of, and to authorize us to ratify the said Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union.

4. 4
   noun

   A clause, as in legal documents, stating whereas.

   […]the promise is stated after a whereas, though the promise is the very gist of the action, yet, such a count so framed, will be held good on demurrer.

Etymology

From where + as (“that”); first attested in the meaning of "where" in the 14th century. Compare thereas.