parking space

Meaning

A parking space is a single, marked area on the ground where one vehicle can be parked. It can be found inside a parking lot, on the side of a street, or inside a garage. In British English, it is often called a parking space or parking bay.

Examples

• He finally found an empty parking space right in front of the restaurant.

  He finally found an empty parking space right in front of the restaurant.

• This parking space is reserved for disabled drivers only.

  This parking space is reserved for disabled drivers only.

• The lines are so narrow that it is hard to get into the parking space.

  The lines are so narrow that it is hard to get into the parking space.

• Do we have to pay to use this parking space on Sundays?

  Do we have to pay to use this parking space on Sundays?

• She carefully backed her car into the tight parking space.

  She carefully backed her car into the tight parking space.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I found a very good parking spot-place.

  ✓ I found a very good parking space.

  Do not combine 'spot' and 'place'. Use either 'parking space' or 'parking spot' to describe the single area for one car.

• ✗ There is only one parking left on this street.

  ✓ There is only one parking space left on this street.

  'Parking' is an uncountable noun referring to the general activity. You must use 'parking space' or 'parking spot' to refer to the physical spot.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I'm looking for a ___ near the entrance because it's raining.

  💡 A single spot where you can park one vehicle.

  Show answer

  parking space

• That ___ is too small for our large SUV.

  💡 The marked area on the ground for a single car.

  Show answer

  parking space