noun | adjective | verb
parallelparallel1 /ˈpærəˌlɛl/ ●●○ AWL noun 1[countable] a relationship or similarity between two things, especially things that exist or happen in different places or at different times: parallel between There are many parallels between politics and acting.parallel with When looking at Mozart’s life, the parallels with “Hamlet” are astonishing. The article draws a parallel between (=shows that two things are similar) the political situation now and that in the 1930s.2in parallel (with somebody/something) together with and at the same time as something else: The CIA is working in parallel with the FBI to solve the case.3[countable] earth science, geography an imaginary line drawn on a map of the Earth, that is parallel to the equator: The 42nd parallel is the northern border of Pennsylvania.4[countable] something that is similar to something else: Our system has parallels in most Western countries.have no parallel/be without parallel His achievement was without parallel in Olympic history.5be in parallel science, physics technical if two electrical circuits (=complete circular paths) are in parallel, they are connected so that any electric current is divided equally between them noun | adjective | verb
parallelparallel2 ●●○ AWL adjective 1
math, geometry parallel lines, paths, etc. are the same distance apart along their whole length: The airport’s two parallel runways are only 750 feet apart.parallel to/with Place the boards parallel with each other, six inches apart. The road runs parallel to (=is parallel to) the river.2formal similar and happening at the same time: The film attempts to follow two parallel story lines.3eng. lang. arts parallel structures in writing or poetry are of the same style or grammatical type: The items in the list should be parallel.4computers parallel computers, systems, etc. perform several operations at the same time5a parallel universe a)a universe that is extremely similar to our own, and exists at the same time b)used when someone or something seems very strange and unusual, and different or separate from your normal experience6a parallel timeline the order in which events happen in a universe that is extremely similar to our own, and exists at the same time noun | adjective | verb
parallelparallel3 ●○○ AWL verb [transitive] formal 1to be the same as or similar to something else: Political events in the state closely parallel what’s happening nationally.2to happen at the same time as something else: The development of online job services has paralleled the evolution of the Internet itself.3to be in a position that is parallel with something else: The railroad tracks paralleled the stream for several miles.