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.

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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

Awad and another man -- named as Mansour Kaziha -- drew the gunmen back into the parking lot.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

At the Martinez, Cottray said that the hotel was coordinating accommodations for the crew, cars and parking, food and beverage needs and other infrastructure over the course of a long shoot.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Even cars in the parking lots look fabulous, their roofs and windshields sparkling in the golden sunshine like so many tiny gems.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

Davies said the purpose was not to raise revenue but rather "to encourage people into the town - tourists especially - so that they know there will be a parking space for them".

From BBC • May 18, 2026

After an hour or two meandering through the redwoods, Mom sharing a bunch of different facts as we go, we turn to make our way back to the parking lot.

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

Related Words

• embracing