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

Families evacuated from their homes milled about the lobby and parking lot of the Cypress Community Center late Friday waiting for any updates about the leaking chemical tank that sent them fleeing earlier that day.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026

While the parking moratorium is not yet in effect — and still needs to go through several more reviews — officials hope it will eventually help ease congestion and safety concerns in the area.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

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

Camille lucks out with a close parking spot and lets the car idle while we gaze at the townhouse belonging to Mom’s best friend.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

Related Words

• embracing