This is the 145th most frequent Arabic word.
أثناء
"During" or "while."
Here 'أثناء' (which means 'during') is used to indicate an activity or event (reading a book) that occurred over the duration of another event (the trip).
قرأت كتابًا أثناء السفر.
I read a book during the trip.
In this sentence, 'أثناء' facilitates expressing a simultaneity between speaking with a friend and the event of working.
تحدثت إلى صديقي أثناء العمل.
I talked to my friend while working.
The word 'أثناء' here creates a link signifying that listening to music took place concurrent with the action of drawing.