parking

American  

[par-king] / ˈpær kɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that parks, especially a vehicle.

2. space in which to park vehicles, as at a place of business or a public event.

   There's plenty of free parking at the stadium.

3. permission to park vehicles.

   Is there parking on this side of the street?

4. the activity or occupation of a person who operates or works in a parking lot, garage, or the like.

5. parking strip.

6. Informal. the act of kissing and caressing in a parked car.

   Some of the couples went parking on their way home from the dance.

---

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, used for, or engaged in parking, especially of vehicles.

   parking regulations; a parking ticket; a parking space; a parking attendant.

Other Word Forms

• unparking adjective

Etymology

Origin of parking

First recorded in 1520–30; park + -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

One inside an elevator vestibule and another in a parking garage.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

His party is pledging to scrap parking charges in town centres in a bid to revive high streets.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

She said everyday issues, such as disputes over parking spaces, are still being discussed on a WhatsApp chat using VPN.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

After most appointments, my mom would pull her van into the Starbucks parking lot in the shopping center next door.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

Take Gusty Way two blocks from the motel parking lot, left on Main Street.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

Related Words

• embracing