ENGLISH
REFERENCE

car park

compound.
A1 Beginner Oxford

compound. A place, either outside or in a building, where you can leave your car for a period of time.

compound. A designated area or building where motor vehicles may be left temporarily. This term is standard in British English.


SIMPLE

The car park is full today.

CONTEXTUAL

We couldn't find a space in the car park, so we parked on the street instead.

COMPLEX

The new supermarket features a large underground car park with direct access to the main shopping floor.

Usage

This term is common in British English; the American English equivalent is 'parking lot' or 'parking garage'.

Teaching tip

Contrast with 'parking lot' (AmE) and highlight the compound noun stress pattern: 'CAR park', not 'car PARK'.

Pitfall

carparkcar parkIn standard British English, this is written as two separate words, though the single-word form is sometimes seen.

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