Used to describe something happening at the same time as something else, often to contrast two events or situations.
“The downtown branch extended its hours; meanwhile, the suburban location remained unchanged.”
“City officials debated the new bylaw; meanwhile, residents continued to submit complaints.”
In Part 3 informational articles, "meanwhile" often shifts attention from one subject or timeframe to another within a paragraph, which is useful when a question asks about parallel developments or a change of focus. This word can help you tell apart two paragraphs discussing related but distinct situations happening simultaneously. Pay attention to what comes right before and after it to track the two events being compared.
Synonyms: at the same time, in the meantime, simultaneously