Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Having the same direction, course, or nature; never meeting or intersecting: Used to describe lines, surfaces, or paths that are always the same distance apart and do not meet.
   • Corresponding or similar in essential respects; analogous: Used to describe situations, developments, or ideas that are comparable or equivalent.
   • Performing multiple operations simultaneously: Used in computing to describe processes that occur at the same time.

2. Noun:

   • A person or thing that is similar or analogous to another: Something that corresponds closely in form, function, or development.
   • A comparison showing similarity: The act of drawing an analogy between two things.
   • Any of the imaginary circles on the earth's surface parallel to the equator, marking latitude: Also called a parallel of latitude.
   • One of a set of parallel geometric figures (lines or planes): In mathematics, lines in a plane that do not meet.

3. Verb:

   • To be parallel to; to correspond or be similar to: To extend in the same direction and remain equidistant, or to be analogous.
   • To compare: To represent or describe as similar; to draw a parallel.
   • To duplicate or match: To provide a counterpart or equivalent.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • The two roads are parallel and run for miles without crossing.
  • There is a parallel trend in the economic data from both countries.
  • The computer uses parallel processing to speed up calculations.

• Noun:

  • His career has many parallels with that of his famous father.
  • The teacher drew a parallel between the two historical revolutions.
  • The city is located on the 40th parallel north.
  • In geometry, parallels are defined by having the same slope.

• Verb:

  • The hiking trail parallels the river for several kilometers.
  • Critics often parallel his early work to that of Picasso.
  • The new software update parallels the features of its main competitor.

Advanced Usage

• "In parallel with": Simultaneously and in a similar manner to something else.
  • The research was conducted in parallel with the clinical trials.
• "Without (a) parallel": Having no equal; being unique or unmatched.
  • Her achievements are without parallel in the history of the sport.
• "To run parallel to": To exist or occur simultaneously and similarly.
  • His personal ambitions run parallel to the company's goals.

Variants and Related Words

• Parallelism (n): The state of being parallel or corresponding; the use of successive verbal constructions in poetry or rhetoric that correspond in grammatical structure, sound, or meaning.
  • The poet's use of parallelism created a powerful rhythmic effect.
• Parallelogram (n): A four-sided plane figure with opposite sides parallel.
  • A square is a special type of parallelogram.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Analogous, similar, comparable, equivalent, coextensive, collateral.
• Noun: Analogue, counterpart, equivalent, match, similarity, comparison, latitude.
• Verb: Correspond to, resemble, echo, mirror, match, equate, compare.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Parallel off (Electrical Engineering): To connect an additional circuit in parallel.
  • The technician needed to parallel off the new generator to the grid.

Related Idioms

• "On a parallel course": Following a similar path or having similar objectives.
  • The two companies are on a parallel course, both aiming to dominate the electric vehicle market.
• "Draw a parallel between": To indicate or suggest a comparison.
  • It is common to draw a parallel between learning a language and learning to play a musical instrument.

Adjective

1. of or relating to the simultaneous performance of multiple operations
   • parallel processing
2. being everywhere equidistant and not intersecting
   • parallel lines never converge
   • concentric circles are parallel
   • dancers in two parallel rows

Noun

1. (mathematics) one of a set of parallel geometric figures (parallel lines or planes)
   • parallels never meet
2. an imaginary line around the Earth parallel to the equator
3. something having the property of being analogous to something else

Verb

1. duplicate or match
   • The polished surface twinned his face and chest in reverse
2. make or place parallel to something
   • They paralleled the ditch to the highway
3. be parallel to
   • Their roles are paralleled by ours