parking meter

Meaning

A parking meter is a street-side device used to collect money in exchange for the right to park a vehicle in a particular place for a limited amount of time. Modern ones often accept credit cards or mobile app payments alongside coins.

Examples

• Do you have any quarters for the parking meter, or does it take cards?

  Do you have any quarters for the parking meter, or does it take cards?

• I need to run back to the street and put more money in the parking meter before it expires.

  I need to run back to the street and put more money in the parking meter before it expires.

• The parking meter only allows you to park there for a maximum of two hours.

  The parking meter only allows you to park there for a maximum of two hours.

• He got a fine because he didn't see the parking meter hidden behind the tree.

  He got a fine because he didn't see the parking meter hidden behind the tree.

• Most parking meters in downtown are free on Sundays.

  Most parking meters in downtown are free on Sundays.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to pay the parking clock before we leave.

  ✓ I need to pay the parking meter before we leave.

  In some European languages, this device is called a 'parking clock' (e.g., Parkuhr). In English, it is strictly a 'parking meter'.

• ✗ Don't forget to buy a ticket at the parking machine.

  ✓ Don't forget to pay the parking meter.

  While 'parking machine' is sometimes used for indoor garages, individual street-side payment poles are specifically called 'parking meters'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you don't feed the ___, the parking warden will give you a fine.

  💡 The street device you pay to park your car.

  Show answer

  parking meter

• I don't have any coins, does this ___ accept mobile payments?

  💡 The street-side parking payment machine.

  Show answer

  parking meter