parallel parking

Noun

parallel parking (usually uncountable, plural parallel parkings)

1. (usually) The action of parking a vehicle with its side parallel to the curb or the side of the road and facing in the direction of the traffic in the adjacent lane.
   • Requiring parallel parking at the curb for all vehicles of the delivery type.1915 August 19, The Automobile, volume 33, page 356
   • In parking, the applicant is required to maneuver his car into a parallel parking space 1 1/2 car lengths long.1938, Oscar M. Gunderson, “Traffic Safety Program of the Michigan State Police”, in University of Michigan Official Publication, volume 40, page 182
2. (usually) A driving technique that facilitates such parking.
   • ... involving straight line driving, maneuvering in close quarters, parallel parking and smooth stopping.1935 September, National Highway Users Conference, “Scholarships Are Awarded in Road-e-o Event”, in Highway Highlights, page 5
   • The parallel parking or reverse parking manoeuvre is known for being one of the most difficult and as a result, fails a great many driving tests.2013, Richard Paine, “Parallel parking reference points”, in Driving test tips, retrieved 08 Mar 2013