parking lot

American  

noun

1. an area, usually divided into individual spaces, intended for parking motor vehicles.

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parking lot British  

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): car park.  an area or building reserved for parking cars

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Etymology

Origin of parking lot

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25

Example Sentences

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

The deadly explosion in a sheriff’s facility parking lot sent shock waves through law enforcement agencies nationwide, and has triggered multiple criminal investigations.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

The roughly 16,000-square-foot establishment is a beloved gathering spot for bikers, especially on weekends, when motorcycles in the parking lot usually outnumber cars.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

He did not notice that the parking lot of the building next door, home to the Albuquerque School of Healing Arts, was full of Albuquerque city police cars, an armada of black-and-whites.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

Yesterday a big crew of men on motorcycles arrived in the parking lot and parked their bikes by the water.

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

Related Words

• garage
• park