What does parking mean?
Parking is the practice of leaving a vehicle stationary, usually temporarily, in a car park, driveway, or designated space along a road. It can also refer to the available space itself, as in “Is there parking outside the hotel?”, or to the state of a stationary vehicle. As a verb, parking means placing a vehicle in such a location. The word is common in everyday speech and formal signage, appearing in expressions such as parking space, parking lot, parking brake, and double parking. Although parking is strongly associated with cars, it can also describe the placement of bicycles, motorcycles, trailers, and other vehicles. In British English, car park is a frequent alternative to parking lot, while parking is broadly understood in both British and American usage.
The action or practice of leaving a vehicle stationary, or the space or area provided for vehicles to be left.
"The town centre has limited parking during busy hours."
Parking can be used as a mass noun, especially for the available space or the activity, though plural parkings is also established in limited contexts.
To leave a vehicle temporarily in a designated space or at the side of a road.
"He parked the van outside the warehouse."
The verb is commonly used with vehicles such as cars, vans, bicycles, and motorcycles.
The plural is uncommon; the word is usually used as a mass noun or in the singular.
"The attendants directed the separate parkings into different areas."
The word parking comes from park, meaning to place or leave something, and its -ing form captures both the act of stopping and the space where a vehicle rests.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does parking come from?
The word derives from park, which came into English in the late medieval period from French parc, ultimately traced to Latin parco, meaning to enclose or set apart. The verbal use of park developed from the idea of placing or leaving something in a designated area. The noun parking was formed with the suffix -ing and became established in the 19th century, initially in the context of railway stations and other places where vehicles or carriages were left.
Related word forms
How parking is actually used
In British English, car park is common for a parking lot, while in American English parking lot is more usual. The noun is normally used in the singular or as a mass noun; plural parkings is uncommon.