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

Ninety minutes into our interview, with only a half-hour for me left on the parking meter and half my questions still unasked, I abruptly tried to reverse out of kaffeeklatsch gear.

From Los Angeles Times

The victim, a National Police employee, had left the station to extend her time on a parking meter and was followed into the entry area and stabbed by the attacker.

From Washington Times

Valerie Pecresse, president of the Île-de-France regional council, said the official who died had briefly left the station where she worked to extend the time on a parking meter.

From Seattle Times

Starting in June, enforcement officers will resume ticketing for expired parking meters, expired residential parking permits and expired vehicle tags.

From Washington Post

Although parking meters are operational, the city is not ticketing vehicles on expired meters.

From Washington Post