parking

The word “parking” means the act of stopping and leaving a vehicle in a location. In plain terms, either the act of leaving a vehicle somewhere, or the space set aside for that purpose.

“Parking” is pronounced PAH-kihng (/ˈpɑɹ.kɪŋ/ in IPA).

Here is “parking” used in a sentence: “Parking downtown can be a nightmare on weekends.”

“Parking” is a noun.

“Parking” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Parking” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of stopping and leaving a vehicle in a location.

In traffic terms, stopping is a brief halt — for example to let a passenger out — while the driver usually stays ready to move. Parking means leaving the vehicle stationary and unattended for longer. This distinction matters legally, since many signs forbid parking but still allow a quick stop.

The main types are parallel parking, where the car lines up with the kerb; perpendicular parking, at a right angle to it; and angle, or bay, parking, at a slant. Parking can also be described as on-street or off-street, such as in a car park or multi-storey garage.

In many traffic codes, "standing" means stopping temporarily to load or unload passengers while remaining with the vehicle, whereas "parking" means leaving it unattended. Signs often distinguish "no parking" from the stricter "no standing," so knowing the difference can help you avoid a fine.