parallel parking

English

Noun

parallel parking (usually uncountable, plural parallel parkings)

1. The action of parking a vehicle with its side parallel to the curb or the side of the road and facing in the direction of the traffic in the adjacent lane.
   • 1915 August 19, The Automobile, volume 33, page 356:

     Requiring parallel parking at the curb for all vehicles of the delivery type.

2. A driving technique that facilitates such parking.
   • 1935 September, National Highway Users Conference, “Scholarships Are Awarded in Road-e-o Event”, in Highway Highlights, page 5:

     ... involving straight line driving, maneuvering in close quarters, parallel parking and smooth stopping.

   • 2013, Richard Paine, “Parallel parking reference points”, in Driving test tips‎^[1], retrieved 2013-03-8:

     The parallel parking or reverse parking manoeuvre is known for being one of the most difficult and as a result, fails a great many driving tests.

3. A space at the side of the road where such parking is allowed.
   • 1938, Oscar M. Gunderson, “Traffic Safety Program of the Michigan State Police”, in University of Michigan Official Publication, volume 40, page 182:

     In parking, the applicant is required to maneuver his car into a parallel parking space 1 1/2 car lengths long.

   • 2011, R. V. Raikar, Elements of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, →ISBN, page 19:

     Parking lanes are provided in urban lanes for side parking. Parallel parking is preferred to perpendicular and oblique because it is safe for vehicles moving on the road.

Translations

action of parking a vehicle with side parallel to curb

• French: stationnement en créneau m
• Galician: estacionamento en paralelo m
• Irish: páirceáil chomhthreomhar f
• Japanese: 縦列駐車 (じゅうれつちゅうしゃ, jūretsuchūsya)
• Polish: parkowanie równoległe n
• Portuguese: baliza (pt)
• Spanish: aparcamiento en línea m

Related terms

parallel park