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.
Phrases and idioms:
parking-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.
Etymology: ME f. OF parc f. med.L parricus of Gmc orig., rel. to pearruc: see PADDOCK