Parking Lot Definition, Examples & Usage

Meaning 1：parking area (parking lot)

parking lot 🔊

/ˈpɑrkɪŋ lɒt/

An area of ground where you can leave your car for a period of time.

Aerial view of a parking lot at night with cars parked in rows

parking area 🔊

➕

/ˈpɑrkɪŋ ˈɛriə/

A designated outdoor or indoor area where cars and other vehicles can be left for a period of time.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Combination of 'park' (to leave a vehicle) and 'lot' (a piece of land).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a large 'lot' where you 'park' your car – that's a parking lot.

📖 Example

We agreed to meet at the parking lot outside the shopping mall. 🔊 We agreed to meet at the parking lot outside the shopping mall.

🔗 Collocations

parking lot attendant – A person who manages or oversees a parking lot.

parking lot ticket – A slip of paper or digital record issued when entering a parking lot.

parking lot fee – The amount of money charged for using a parking lot.

🔄 Synonyms

car park (n.) – A British term for a parking lot, usually a multi-story or open area.

parking garage (n.) – A multi-level building designed for parking cars.

parking space (n.) – A single designated spot within a parking lot or garage.

🚫 Antonyms

no-parking zone (n.) – An area where parking is prohibited by law.

freeway (n.) – A high-speed road where stopping or parking is not allowed.

📖 Cultural Story

The term 'parking lot' became common in the early 1900s as cars multiplied in American cities. The word 'lot' traces back to Old English 'hlot' meaning a share of land.