Definitions for parallel
ˈpær əˌlɛl, -ləlpar·al·lel

Princeton's WordNet(3.71 / 7 votes)Rate this definition:

1. analogue, analog, parallelnoun

   something having the property of being analogous to something else

2. latitude, line of latitude, parallel of latitude, parallelnoun

   an imaginary line around the Earth parallel to the equator

3. paralleladjective

   (mathematics) one of a set of parallel geometric figures (parallel lines or planes)

   "parallels never meet"

4. paralleladjective

   being everywhere equidistant and not intersecting

   "parallel lines never converge"; "concentric circles are parallel"; "dancers in two parallel rows"

5. parallelverb

   of or relating to the simultaneous performance of multiple operations

   "parallel processing"

6. parallelverb

   be parallel to

   "Their roles are paralleled by ours"

7. parallel, collimateverb

   make or place parallel to something

   "They paralleled the ditch to the highway"

8. twin, duplicate, parallelverb

   duplicate or match

   "The polished surface twinned his face and chest in reverse"

GCIDE(1.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Parallelnoun

   (Geog.) One of the imaginary circles on the surface of the earth, parallel to the equator, marking the latitude; also, the corresponding line on a globe or map; as, the counry was divided into North and South at the 38th parallel.

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. parallelnoun

   One of a set of parallel lines.

   Etymology: From παράλληλος, from παρά + ἄλληλος, along each other

2. parallelnoun

   A line of latitude.

   The 31st parallel passes through the center of my town.

   Etymology: From παράλληλος, from παρά + ἄλληλος, along each other

3. parallelnoun

   An arrangement of electrical components such that a current flows along two or more paths; see in parallel

   Etymology: From παράλληλος, from παρά + ἄλληλος, along each other

4. parallelnoun

   Something identical or similar in essential respects

   Etymology: From παράλληλος, from παρά + ἄλληλος, along each other

5. parallelverb

   To construct something parallel to something else.

   Etymology: From παράλληλος, from παρά + ἄλληλος, along each other

6. parallelverb

   Of a path etc: To be parallel to something else.

   Etymology: From παράλληλος, from παρά + ἄλληλος, along each other

7. parallelverb

   Of a process etc: To be analogous to something else.

   Etymology: From παράλληλος, from παρά + ἄλληλος, along each other

8. parallelverb

   To compare or liken something to something else.

   Etymology: From παράλληλος, from παρά + ἄλληλος, along each other

9. paralleladverb

   With a parallel relationship

   The road runs parallel with the canal.

   Etymology: From παράλληλος, from παρά + ἄλληλος, along each other

10. paralleladjective

    Equally distant from one another at all points.

    The horizontal lines on my notebook paper are parallel.

    Etymology: From παράλληλος, from παρά + ἄλληλος, along each other

11. paralleladjective

    Having the same overall direction; the comparison is indicated with "to".

    Etymology: From παράλληλος, from παρά + ἄλληλος, along each other

12. paralleladjective

    said of a pair of lines: that they either do not intersect or they coincide

    Etymology: From παράλληλος, from παρά + ἄλληλος, along each other

13. paralleladjective

    Involving the processing of multiple tasks at the same time

    a parallel algorithm

    Etymology: From παράλληλος, from παρά + ἄλληλος, along each other

Webster Dictionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Paralleladjective

   extended in the same direction, and in all parts equally distant; as, parallel lines; parallel planes

   Etymology: [F. parallle, L. parallelus, fr. Gr. ; para` beside + of one another, fr. other, akin to L. alius. See Alien.]

2. Paralleladjective

   having the same direction or tendency; running side by side; being in accordance (with); tending to the same result; -- used with to and with

   Etymology: [F. parallle, L. parallelus, fr. Gr. ; para` beside + of one another, fr. other, akin to L. alius. See Alien.]

3. Paralleladjective

   continuing a resemblance through many particulars; applicable in all essential parts; like; similar; as, a parallel case; a parallel passage

   Etymology: [F. parallle, L. parallelus, fr. Gr. ; para` beside + of one another, fr. other, akin to L. alius. See Alien.]

4. Parallelnoun

   a line which, throughout its whole extent, is equidistant from another line; a parallel line, a parallel plane, etc

   Etymology: [F. parallle, L. parallelus, fr. Gr. ; para` beside + of one another, fr. other, akin to L. alius. See Alien.]

5. Parallelnoun

   direction conformable to that of another line,

   Etymology: [F. parallle, L. parallelus, fr. Gr. ; para` beside + of one another, fr. other, akin to L. alius. See Alien.]

6. Parallelnoun

   conformity continued through many particulars or in all essential points; resemblance; similarity

   Etymology: [F. parallle, L. parallelus, fr. Gr. ; para` beside + of one another, fr. other, akin to L. alius. See Alien.]

7. Parallelnoun

   a comparison made; elaborate tracing of similarity; as, Johnson's parallel between Dryden and Pope

   Etymology: [F. parallle, L. parallelus, fr. Gr. ; para` beside + of one another, fr. other, akin to L. alius. See Alien.]

8. Parallelnoun

   anything equal to, or resembling, another in all essential particulars; a counterpart

   Etymology: [F. parallle, L. parallelus, fr. Gr. ; para` beside + of one another, fr. other, akin to L. alius. See Alien.]

9. Parallelnoun

   one of the imaginary circles on the surface of the earth, parallel to the equator, marking the latitude; also, the corresponding line on a globe or map

   Etymology: [F. parallle, L. parallelus, fr. Gr. ; para` beside + of one another, fr. other, akin to L. alius. See Alien.]

10. Parallelnoun

    one of a series of long trenches constructed before a besieged fortress, by the besieging force, as a cover for troops supporting the attacking batteries. They are roughly parallel to the line of outer defenses of the fortress

    Etymology: [F. parallle, L. parallelus, fr. Gr. ; para` beside + of one another, fr. other, akin to L. alius. See Alien.]

11. Parallelnoun

    a character consisting of two parallel vertical lines (thus, ) used in the text to direct attention to a similarly marked note in the margin or at the foot of a page

    Etymology: [F. parallle, L. parallelus, fr. Gr. ; para` beside + of one another, fr. other, akin to L. alius. See Alien.]

12. Parallelverb

    to place or set so as to be parallel; to place so as to be parallel to, or to conform in direction with, something else

    Etymology: [F. parallle, L. parallelus, fr. Gr. ; para` beside + of one another, fr. other, akin to L. alius. See Alien.]

13. Parallelverb

    fig.: To make to conform to something else in character, motive, aim, or the like

    Etymology: [F. parallle, L. parallelus, fr. Gr. ; para` beside + of one another, fr. other, akin to L. alius. See Alien.]

14. Parallelverb

    to equal; to match; to correspond to

    Etymology: [F. parallle, L. parallelus, fr. Gr. ; para` beside + of one another, fr. other, akin to L. alius. See Alien.]

15. Parallelverb

    to produce or adduce as a parallel

    Etymology: [F. parallle, L. parallelus, fr. Gr. ; para` beside + of one another, fr. other, akin to L. alius. See Alien.]

16. Parallelverb

    to be parallel; to correspond; to be like

    Etymology: [F. parallle, L. parallelus, fr. Gr. ; para` beside + of one another, fr. other, akin to L. alius. See Alien.]

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Parallel

   Parallelism is a term in geometry that refers to a property in Euclidean space of two or more lines or planes, or a combination of these. The assumed existence and properties of parallel lines are the basis of Euclid's parallel postulate. Two lines in a plane that do not intersect or touch at a point are called parallel lines. Likewise, a line and a plane, or two planes, in three-dimensional Euclidean space that do not share a point are said to be parallel. In a non-Euclidean space, parallel lines are those that intersect only in the limit at infinity.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Parallel

   par′al-lel, adj. side by side: (geom.) extended in the same direction and equi-distant in all parts: with the same direction or tendency: running in accordance with: resembling in all essential points: like or similar.—n. a line equi-distant from another at all points: a line drawn across a map or round a globe at right angles to the axis, marking latitude: likeness: a comparison: counterpart: (pl.) trenches, dug parallel to the outline of a besieged fortress to protect the besiegers (mil.).—v.t. to place so as to be parallel: to correspond, or to make to correspond, to:—pr.p. par′alleling or par′allelling; pa.p. par′alleled or par′allelled.—n. Par′allelism, state of being parallel: resemblance: comparison: likeness of form or meaning, as of two statements, clauses, or verses.—adj. Parallelis′tic, of the nature of, or involving, parallelism.—adv. Par′allelly.—Parallel bars, a pair of bars securely fixed, 4 to 6 feet above the ground, and about 1½ feet apart, used in gymnastics to strengthen the arms; Parallel forces, forces which act in parallel lines, having a single resultant, readily found by the method of moments; Parallel motion, a name given to any linkage by which circular motion may be changed into straight-line motion; Parallel rulers, a mathematical instrument for drawing parallel lines. [Fr.,—L. parallelus—Gr. parallēlos—para, beside, allēlōn, of one another—allos, another.]

The Standard Electrical Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Parallel

   (a) In the nomenclature of electric circuits two or more conductors leading from one point to another, are said to be in parallel. (b) When two or more conductors connect two main leads of comparatively large size and low resistance they are said to be in parallel or in multiple arc. This order is easiest pictured as the rungs of a ladder in parallel connecting its two sides representing the main leads. It may be used as a noun as "arranged in parallel," or as an adjective as "a parallel circuit," the opposite of series, q. v.

Dictionary of Nautical Terms(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. parallel

   A term for those lines that preserve an equal distance from each other. It is sometimes used instead of latitude, as, "Our orders were to cruise in the parallel of Madeira." More definitely, they are imaginary circles parallel with the equator, ninety in the northern, and ninety in the southern hemispheres.

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. parallel

   A line in an equal and known specific direction.

   The ship was parallel to the horizon.

   Submitted by MaryC on January 12, 2020  

Suggested Resources(4.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. parallel

   Song lyrics by parallel -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by parallel on the Lyrics.com website.

Entomology(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Parallel

   along the same line and nearly equidistant.

Matched Categories

1. • Change
   • Correspond
   • Line
   • Match

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'parallel' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #4774

2. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'parallel' in Nouns Frequency: #2419

3. Adjectives Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'parallel' in Adjectives Frequency: #663

How to pronounce parallel?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say parallel in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of parallel in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of parallel in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of parallel in a Sentence

1. John Koenig:

   If two lines are truly parallel, it means they'll never actually meet.

2. Ouriel Daskal:

   [ Hapoel ] Katamon is like a team from a parallel world, hapoel Katamon is owned by their supporters, Hapoel Katamon's sustainable, democratic and open to all races and religions, of which there are plenty in Hapoel Jerusalem.

3. Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne:

   We have parallel conversations with many players who are outside the auto sector at the moment, we can't go into these discussions with a precise idea of what FCA wants. We're learning, just as they are learning.

4. Jonny Greco:

   We're shifting our open to one that is a little more parallel to the theme of the series right now, a big thing that we try to do is be fluid and react properly to what's out there to create a home ice advantage.

5. Mitch McConnell:

   In parallel to the gathering for this dangerous agreement, the proxies of Iran in the Middle East are carrying out a wide occupation of Yemen, the Iran-Lausanne-Yemen axis is very dangerous to mankind and needs to be stopped.

Popularity rank by frequency of use