What does parallelizing mean?
Parallelizing means making one thing parallel to another or arranging related activities so that they proceed in corresponding ways. The word is often used for separate but coordinated efforts, such as parallelizing development work on two products so that they remain compatible. In academic or analytical contexts, it can also mean comparing subjects side by side to identify correspondences and differences. Its precise meaning depends on the object of the verb: “parallelizing the beams” refers to making them physically or conceptually aligned, while “parallelizing the studies” refers to conducting them in a comparable manner. The term is more formal than common alternatives such as aligning or matching, and it is particularly useful when the relationship involves more than simple similarity: the parallel processes may remain distinct while being kept in step. It can also carry a slight connotation of careful coordination and balance, especially in technical, organizational, or comparative contexts.
To make something parallel to something else, or to develop two or more things so that they correspond closely in structure, timing, or purpose.
"The team is parallelizing its work on the mobile and desktop versions of the application."
This is a formal term, often used when separate activities or processes are being kept closely aligned.
To compare two or more subjects in order to identify similarities and differences.
"The essay parallelizes the social effects of industrialisation in Britain and Germany."
This sense is more common in academic, historical, and analytical writing than in everyday speech.
To parallelize is to create parallel tracks: separate courses of action kept carefully aligned toward the same goal.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does parallelizing come from?
The word derives from the adjective parallel, which comes from Greek parallelos, meaning “beside one another,” from para, “beside,” and allos, “another.” The related noun parallelism developed with the meaning of correspondence or similarity between things. In English, parallelize originally referred to placing objects or lines parallel to one another before acquiring the figurative sense of developing or comparing things in corresponding ways. The verb belongs to a family that includes parallel, parallelism, parallelogram, and parallelization.
Related word forms
How parallelizing is actually used
Parallelizing is formal and relatively uncommon compared with the more general words aligning, matching, or comparing. It is especially appropriate when two processes, projects, or lines of inquiry are being kept in correspondence.
Easily confused with parallelizing
Parallel is an adjective or noun describing things that are aligned, corresponding, or related; parallelizing is the verb describing the act of making or developing them in that way.