par·al·lel
ˈper-ə-ˌlel 
ˈpa-rə-,
-ləl
1
a
: 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
2
a
: 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
3
a
: 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
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
Percy Winner
b
: readily compared : companion
the marriage rate turned upward … the birth rate entered upon a parallel climb—Oscar Handlin
Oscar Handlin
c
: having identical syntactical elements in corresponding positions
also
: being such an element
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
1
a
: 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
2
a
: something equal or similar in all essential particulars : counterpart
b
3
: a comparison to show resemblance
4
a
: 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
paralleled; paralleling; parallels
: in a parallel manner
Examples of parallel in a Sentence
Adjective
the parallel careers of the two movie stars
These two sentences are parallel in structure.
Notice the parallel development of the two technologies.
Noun
These myths have some striking parallels with myths found in cultures around the world.
There are many parallels between the stories.
Most of the United States is south of the 49th parallel.
Verb
Their test results parallel our own.
Rising prices parallel increasing fuel costs.
Spending is paralleled by an increase in the number of loans given.
The highway parallels the river.
Recent Examples on the Web
Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025
In 1852, Congress appropriated $15,000 for Waukegan Harbor improvements that included a breakwater with an elevated catwalk parallel to the shore to protect the harbor, in addition to navigation aids.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
Lars Daniel, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
The bridge is located along the 17th parallel—the demarcation line from which Vietnam’s demilitarized zone (DMZ) extended for three miles on either side.
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025
Amareen Dhaliwal, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Green parallels the why of it all to Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old arraigned for the brazen December 2024 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Robert Klose, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 July 2022
And while his career wouldn't quite live up to its early promise, if Saka's goes on to run parallel then few at the Emirates will be complaining.
—SI.com, 23 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for parallel
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
The army’s investigation and a parallel one by the Shin Bet counterintelligence agency lay out those bodies’ mistakes.
—Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025
In 1852, Congress appropriated $15,000 for Waukegan Harbor improvements that included a breakwater with an elevated catwalk parallel to the shore to protect the harbor, in addition to navigation aids.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
The future belongs not to those who simply use AI, but to those who use it in a way that promotes human flourishing in parallel.
—Lars Daniel, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
The bridge is located along the 17th parallel—the demarcation line from which Vietnam’s demilitarized zone (DMZ) extended for three miles on either side.
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
This parallels how coaches often motivate clients to celebrate progress and reinforce future follow-through.
—Amareen Dhaliwal, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Green parallels the why of it all to Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old arraigned for the brazen December 2024 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Adverb
Pull up parallel to the lead vehicle until your rear bumpers align.
—Robert Klose, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 July 2022
And while his career wouldn't quite live up to its early promise, if Saka's goes on to run parallel then few at the Emirates will be complaining.
—SI.com, 23 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for parallel
Cite this Entry
“Parallel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parallel. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
parallel
1 of 4 adjective
par·al·lel
ˈpar-ə-ˌlel
1
: lying or moving in the same direction but always the same distance apart
parallel lines
the train tracks are parallel
2
a
: being or relating to an electrical circuit having a number of conductors in parallel
b
: being or relating to a connection in a computer system in which the bits of a byte are transmitted over separate wires at the same time
3
: like entry 3, similar
parallel situations
parallel
2 of 4 noun1
: a parallel line, curve, or surface
2
a
: one of the imaginary circles on the surface of the earth parallel to the equator that mark latitude
b
: a corresponding line on a globe or map
3
a
: counterpart sense 1, equal
a victory without parallel
c
: a tracing of similarity
draw a parallel between two periods of history
4
: an arrangement of electrical devices in a circuit in which the same potential difference is applied to two or more resistances with each resistance on a parallel branch
parallel
3 of 4 verb1
: to be like or equal to
2
: to lie, run, or move in a direction parallel to
the highway parallels the river
parallel
4 of 4 adverb
: in a parallel manner
—often used with with or to
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