Definition

Noun: A parking meter is a device, typically found next to a public parking space on a street, that requires a driver to pay for the time they wish to park their vehicle. Payment is made by inserting coins, and sometimes cards or via a mobile app, into the meter. The device then displays the amount of paid time remaining.

Usage

A parking meter is used to regulate and charge for the use of a specific parking spot for a limited period. * You must pay the parking meter to avoid getting a ticket. * The parking meter ran out of time, so I had to go back and add more coins. * Is there a parking meter near where you parked the car?

Advanced Usage

• "To feed the meter": This idiom means to put more money into a parking meter to extend the parking time.
  • I had to run back to the car to feed the meter before my time expired.

Variants and Related Words

• Meter maid/meter attendant (noun): A parking enforcement officer who checks parking meters and issues tickets for violations.
• Digital parking meter/Pay-by-phone meter (noun): A modern type of parking meter that accepts electronic payment via credit card or a smartphone application instead of, or in addition to, coins.

Synonyms

• Parking timer (less common)
• Pay-and-display machine (a related but different system where you pay at a central machine and display a ticket in your car window)

Related Phrases

• "Out of order" meter: A parking meter that is broken and not functioning.
  • Be careful, that parking meter is out of order; you should find another spot or use the pay-by-phone zone.
• "Metered parking": The general system or area where parking is controlled by parking meters.
  • All the spaces downtown are metered parking.

Noun

1. a coin-operated timer located next to a parking space; depositing money into it entitles you to park your car there for a specified length of time