Parallel: meaning, definitions and examples

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parallel

[ ˈpær.ə.lel ]

^{Context #1}

computing

Of or relating to the simultaneous performance of multiple operations.

Synonyms

coincident, concurrent, simultaneous

Examples of usage

The new processor allows for parallel processing of data.
The software is designed to run in parallel on multiple cores.

^{Context #2}

mathematics

A line or plane that is equidistant at all points from another line or plane.

Synonyms

adjacent, equidistant, side by side

Examples of usage

The two lines are parallel and will never intersect.
In geometry, parallel lines have the same slope.

^{Context #3}

general

To be side by side or in close proximity without intersecting.

Synonyms

correspond, mirror, run alongside

Examples of usage

The two highways parallel each other for several miles.
The growth of the two companies parallels each other.

Translations

Translations of the word "parallel" in other languages:

🇵🇹 paralelo

🇮🇳 समानांतर

🇩🇪 parallel

🇮🇩 paralel

🇺🇦 паралельний

🇵🇱 równoległy

🇯🇵 平行

🇫🇷 parallèle

🇪🇸 paralelo

🇹🇷 paralel

🇰🇷 평행

🇸🇦 موازي

🇨🇿 paralelní

🇸🇰 paralelný

🇨🇳 平行

🇸🇮 vzporeden

🇮🇸 samsíða

🇰🇿 параллель

🇬🇪 პარალელური

🇦🇿 paralel

🇲🇽 paralelo

Word origin

The word 'parallel' originates from the Greek word 'parallelos', meaning 'beside one another'. It was first used in English in the 16th century. The concept of parallel lines was developed in ancient geometry, notably by Euclid. Over time, the term has come to be widely used in various fields, from mathematics to computing, to describe things that are side by side or have similar characteristics without intersecting.