parking lot

Meaning

A parking lot is an open, outside area where cars and other vehicles can be left temporarily. It is usually located next to a supermarket, shopping mall, or office building. In British English, this is called a car park.

Examples

• The supermarket parking lot was completely full on Saturday afternoon.

  The supermarket parking lot was completely full on Saturday afternoon.

• I left my car in the parking lot behind the library.

  I left my car in the parking lot behind the library.

• Please meet me in the parking lot after the movie ends.

  Please meet me in the parking lot after the movie ends.

• There are security cameras watching the hotel parking lot.

  There are security cameras watching the hotel parking lot.

• It took us ten minutes to find a free space in the parking lot.

  It took us ten minutes to find a free space in the parking lot.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I left my car in the park place.

  ✓ I left my car in the parking lot.

  'Park place' is not standard English. Use 'parking lot' for the entire area, or 'parking space' for a single spot.

• ✗ The mall has a very big park.

  ✓ The mall has a very big parking lot.

  A 'park' is a public green area with grass and trees. A 'parking lot' is a paved area specifically designed for vehicles.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The grocery store has a massive ___ with plenty of room for cars.

  💡 An outdoor area where customers park their cars.

  Show answer

  parking lot

• We parked our car in the ___ and walked to the beach.

  💡 The designated outdoor zone for leaving vehicles.

  Show answer

  parking lot