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

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

1. analogue, analog, parallel(noun)

   something having the property of being analogous to something else

2. latitude, line of latitude, parallel of latitude, parallel(noun)

   an imaginary line around the Earth parallel to the equator

3. parallel(adj)

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

   "parallels never meet"

4. parallel(adj)

   being everywhere equidistant and not intersecting

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

5. parallel(verb)

   of or relating to the simultaneous performance of multiple operations

   "parallel processing"

6. parallel(verb)

   be parallel to

   "Their roles are paralleled by ours"

7. parallel, collimate(verb)

   make or place parallel to something

   "They paralleled the ditch to the highway"

8. twin, duplicate, parallel(verb)

   duplicate or match

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

GCIDE(1.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Parallel(n.)

   (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. parallel(Noun)

   One of a set of parallel lines.

2. parallel(Noun)

   A line of latitude.

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

3. parallel(Noun)

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

4. parallel(Noun)

   Something identical or similar in essential respects

5. parallel(Verb)

   To construct something parallel to something else.

6. parallel(Verb)

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

7. parallel(Verb)

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

8. parallel(Verb)

   To compare or liken something to something else.

9. parallel(Adverb)

   With a parallel relationship

   The road runs parallel with the canal.

10. parallel(Adjective)

    Equally distant from one another at all points.

    The horizontal lines on my notebook paper are parallel.

11. parallel(Adjective)

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

12. parallel(Adjective)

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

13. parallel(Adjective)

    Involving the processing of multiple tasks at the same time

    a parallel algorithm

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

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

1. Parallel(adj)

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

2. Parallel(adj)

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

3. Parallel(adj)

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

4. Parallel(noun)

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

5. Parallel(noun)

   direction conformable to that of another line,

6. Parallel(noun)

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

7. Parallel(noun)

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

8. Parallel(noun)

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

9. Parallel(noun)

   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

10. Parallel(noun)

    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

11. Parallel(noun)

    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

12. Parallel(verb)

    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

13. Parallel(verb)

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

14. Parallel(verb)

    to equal; to match; to correspond to

15. Parallel(verb)

    to produce or adduce as a parallel

16. Parallel(verb)

    to be parallel; to correspond; to be like

Origin: [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.

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.

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

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. Seen on a button:

   I am into parallel monogamy.

2. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu:

   We will return these traitors to Turkey, pARALLEL STATE.

3. Justice Department:

   The investigation will run parallel to the state's investigation.

4. John Koenig:

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

5. Lombard Odier strategist Charles St-Arnaud:

   What Trump tweeted about French wine, I can see the parallel with Canadian milk.

Images & Illustrations of parallel

Popularity rank by frequency of use