pɑ:k n. & v. --n. 1 a
large public garden in a
town,
for recreation. 2 a large enclosed
piece of ground, usu.
with woodland and pasture, attached to a
country house etc. 3 a a large
area of
land kept in
its natural state for public recreational
use. b a large enclosed area of land used to
accommodate wild animals in
captivity (wildlife park). 4 an area for
motor vehicles etc. to be left in (car park). 5
the gear position or
function in
automatic transmission in
which the gears are locked, preventing the vehicle's
movement. 6 an area
devoted to a specified
purpose (industrial park). 7 a US a sports ground. b (usu. prec. by the) a
football pitch. --v.tr. 1 (also absol.) leave (a vehicle) usu. temporarily, in a
car park, by the
side of the road, etc. 2 colloq.
deposit and leave, usu. temporarily. øparking-light a
small light at the side of a
vehicle, for use
when the vehicle is parked at
night. parking-lot US an
outdoor area for parking vehicles. parking-meter a coin-operated meter which receives fees for vehicles parked in the
street and indicates the
time available. parking-ticket a
notice, usu. attached to a vehicle, of a
penalty imposed for parking illegally. park
oneself colloq.
sit down. [ME f. OF parc f. med.L parricus of Gmc orig., rel. to pearruc: see PADDOCK]