Definition

Noun: A type of pedestrian crossing equipped with traffic lights that are activated by pedestrians. The name is an acronym for "pedestrian light controlled crossing."

Usage

A pelican crossing is a specific, signal-controlled crossing point on a road. Pedestrians press a button to request a red traffic light, stopping vehicles so they can cross safely. The crossing typically includes visual and audible signals for pedestrians.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Wait for the green man at the pelican crossing before you step into the road.
  • The council installed a new pelican crossing near the school to improve safety.
  • Remember to press the button on the pelican crossing to activate the signals.

Advanced Usage

• "To use a pelican crossing": To cross a road at this specific type of controlled crossing.
  • It is safer to use the pelican crossing than to jaywalk.

Variants and Related Words

• Pedestrian Crossing (n): The general term for any designated place where pedestrians can cross a road. A is one type.
• Zebra Crossing (n): A pedestrian crossing marked by black and white stripes, without traffic lights, where vehicles must yield.
• Puffin Crossing (n): A more modern type of pedestrian light-controlled crossing (Pedestrian User-Friendly Intelligent crossing) with sensors.

Synonyms

• Signal-controlled crossing: A more formal, descriptive term.
• Pedestrian light-controlled crossing: The full phrase from which the acronym "pelican" is derived.

Related Phrases

• To activate the crossing: To press the button to start the crossing sequence.
  • The child was too short to reach the button to activate the crossing.
• The green man / red man: The symbolic figures on the pedestrian signal at a indicating when it is safe to cross (green) or not (red).
  • Do not cross while the red man is showing.

Noun

1. an acronym for pedestrian light control; a pedestrian crossing with traffic lights that are controlled by pedestrians