Definition of parallel
(Entry 1 of 4)
1a : extending in the same direction, everywhere equidistant (see equidistant sense 1), and not meeting
parallel rows of trees
b : everywhere equally distant
concentric spheres are parallel
2a : having parallel sides
a parallel reamer
b : being or relating to an electrical circuit having a number of conductors (see conductor sense d(1)) in parallel (see parallel entry 2 sense 4b)
c : arranged in parallel
a computer with four parallel processors
3a : similar, analogous, or interdependent in tendency or development : exhibiting parallelism in form, function, or development
… the standing committee systems in the two Houses are reasonably parallel …— Harold Zink … parallel strikes on the railroads, in the gas and electricity services and in the metal and mining industries.— Percy Winner — see also parallel evolution
b : readily compared : companion the marriage rate turned upward … the birth rate entered upon a parallel climb— Oscar Handlin
d(1) : having the same tonic —used of major and minor keys and scales
(2) : keeping the same distance apart in musical pitch (see pitch entry 4 sense 4b(1))
4 : performed while keeping one's skis parallel
parallel turns
parallel
nounDefinition of parallel (Entry 2 of 4)
1a : a parallel line, curve, or surface
b : one of the imaginary circles on the surface of the earth paralleling the equator and marking the latitude also : the corresponding line on a globe or map — see latitude illustration
c : a character ∥ used in printing especially as a reference mark
2a : something equal or similar in all essential particulars : counterpart
b : similarity, analogue
3 : a comparison to show resemblance
4a : the state of being physically parallel
b : an arrangement of electrical devices in a circuit in which the same potential difference is applied to two or more resistances with each resistance being on a different branch of the circuit — compare series
c : an arrangement or state that permits several operations or tasks to be performed simultaneously rather than consecutively
in parallel
: in a parallel arrangement
parallel
verbparalleled; paralleling; parallels
Definition of parallel (Entry 3 of 4)
parallel
adverbDefinition of parallel (Entry 4 of 4)
: in a parallel manner
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Time Traveler for parallel
The first known use of parallel was circa 1550
See more words from the same year