parking meter

US: /ˈpɑrkɪŋ ˌmitɚ/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

park•ing me•ter /ˈpɑrkɪŋ ˌmitɚ/  n. [countable]

1. a mechanical device for receiving and registering payment for the length of time that a vehicle is to occupy a parking space.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

park′ing me′ter, 

1. a mechanical device for registering and collecting payment for the length of time that a vehicle occupies a parking space, consisting typically of a timer, actuated by a coin that a driver deposits upon parking, set in a headpiece mounted on a pole.

• 1930–35

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

parking meter noun

1. a timing device, usually coin-operated, that indicates how long a vehicle may be left parked