Parallelism: meaning, definitions and examples

This term is often used in writing and programming. In writing, it refers to using the same sentence structure for clarity and effect. In programming, it refers to performing multiple operations simultaneously.

• The speech was powerful due to its parallelism: 'We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds.'
• Parallelism in computing can increase the speed and efficiency of data processing.

This term is used to compare how two or more things are alike without implying exact equality. Commonly used in everyday conversation and writing.

• There is a similarity between their viewpoints, even though they have different backgrounds.
• The twin brothers' similarity was so striking that people often confused them.

Repetition is used to emphasize something by repeating it. This can often be found in literature, speeches, and rhetoric.

• The author's use of repetition in the poem created a haunting rhythm.
• The coach stressed that repetition is key to mastering any skill.

This word is used to describe a similarity or equivalence between things. Often it's seen in contexts like communication through letters or a match between data sets.

• The correspondence between the two texts is evident in their themes and writing style.
• He found a correspondence between the data from different sources that confirmed his hypothesis.

Use when describing things that consistently match in direction or state, often in a technical or academic context.

• The parallelism in the architectural design gave the building a harmonious look
• The code's parallelism improved processing speed

Used to describe the state of being equally distant in relation to something else. Commonly seen in geometry and geography.

• The cities are at equidistance from the capital, making decentralized administration easier
• In the design, the points are equidistant from the center ensuring symmetry

When describing things that move, face, or extend in the same direction. Often used in a more scientific context.

• Equidirectional wind patterns can significantly impact the climate of the region
• The equidirectional flow of the river tributaries prevents flooding

Used when describing lines, paths, or trajectories that do not cross each other. Can be technical or everyday usage.

• The non-intersecting flight paths reduced the risk of mid-air collisions
• Non-intersecting roads help to reduce traffic congestion

Used when describing tasks or processes that are executed simultaneously to improve performance or efficiency.

• The application uses parallelism to speed up data processing.
• Parallelism in computing can greatly reduce the time required to complete complex tasks.

Applied when referring to systems that handle multiple tasks simultaneously, often managing tasks to use the same resources without conflicts.

• Concurrency in databases ensures that multiple transactions can occur without interfering with each other.
• The operating system uses concurrency to manage multiple applications running at the same time.

Used when describing the ability of a CPU or an operating system to perform multiple threads within a single process, often for improving application performance.

• Multithreading allows a program to perform background tasks without freezing the user interface.
• Developers use multithreading to make applications more responsive.

Describes a computing method where multiple processors or cores execute and handle different parts of a task simultaneously.

• High-performance computing often relies on parallel processing to handle large-scale computations.
• Parallel processing is crucial for running complex simulations in real-time.