parking meter

American  

noun

1. a mechanical device for registering and collecting payment for the length of time that a vehicle occupies a parking space, consisting typically of a timer, actuated by a coin that a driver deposits upon parking, set in a headpiece mounted on a pole.

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parking meter British  

noun

1. a timing device, usually coin-operated, that indicates how long a vehicle may be left parked

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Etymology

Origin of parking meter

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Why shouldn’t their town square prioritize strolling couples and amateur oil painters and kids tossing softballs over parking meters and hatchbacks?

From Los Angeles Times

Beutner, on his video, also turns his aim at City Hall, high housing costs, rising parking meter rates and a big increase in trash pickup fees for homeowners and smaller apartment buildings.

From Los Angeles Times

Orlean, who is so carefully attentive to her responsibilities that we interrupted our interview so she could feed her parking meter, made headlines in 2020 for tweeting with no filter.

From Los Angeles Times

Last week, the council also voted to raise the prices and hours of city parking meters.

From Los Angeles Times

Officials expect the increased parking meter rates to add $14.4 million to city coffers this fiscal year.

From Los Angeles Times