/ ˈpærəlel; NAmE / adjective , noun , verb
■ adjective
1.
parallel (to / with sth) two or more lines that are parallel to each other are the same distance apart at every point :
parallel lines
The road and the canal are parallel to each other.
2.
very similar or taking place at the same time :
a parallel case
parallel trends
3.
( computing ) involving several computer operations at the same time :
parallel processing
► par·al·lel adverb :
The road and the canal run parallel to each other.
The plane flew parallel to the coast.
■ noun
1.
[ C , U ] a person, a situation, an event, etc. that is very similar to another, especially one in a different place or time
SYN equivalent :
These ideas have parallels in Freud's thought too.
This is an achievement without parallel in modern times.
This tradition has no parallel in our culture.
2.
[ C , usually pl. ] similar features :
There are interesting parallels between the 1960s and the late 1990s.
It is possible to draw a parallel between (= find similar features in) their experience and ours.
3.
(also ˌparallel of ˈlatitude ) [ C ] an imaginary line around the earth that is always the same distance from the equator ; this line on a map :
the 49th parallel
•
IDIOMS
- in parallel (with sth/sb)
■ verb [ vn ]
1.
to be similar to sth; to happen at the same time as sth :
Their legal system parallels our own.
The rise in unemployment is paralleled by an increase in petty crime.
2.
to be as good as sth
SYN equal :
a level of achievement that has never been paralleled
—compare unparalleled
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent.: from French parallèle , via Latin from Greek parallēlos , from para- alongside + allēlos one another.