parallel

S2 W2

BrE /ˈpærəlel/ AmE /ˈperəˌlel/

noun / adjective en → es

1 SIMILARITY [singular] B1

a situation in which two or more things are similar and happen at the same time, but do not affect each other

paralelo, simultáneo pero independiente

  • a parallel between A and B

Collocations draw a parallel between · follow the same pattern as

  • There is a clear parallel between the two events.

    Hay una clara paralelía entre los dos eventos.

2 LINE [singular] B1

a line that never meets another line, however far they are extended

línea paralela

  • parallel to A

Collocations draw a parallel line · run parallel to

  • The road runs parallel to the river.

    La carretera corre paralela al río.

3 EQUIVALENT [singular] B2

a person or thing that is similar in some way to another person or thing, especially one from a different place or time

equivalente, paralelo

  • A's parallel in B

Collocations find the equivalent of · have a counterpart in

  • The American Revolution has its parallel in Latin America.

    La Revolución Americana tiene su paralelo en América Latina.

4 ROUTE [singular] B2

a route that is the same distance from a central point as another route, but in a different direction

ruta paralela

  • parallel to A

Collocations take the parallel road · follow the same route as

  • We took the parallel road instead of going through town.

    Tomamos la ruta paralela en lugar de pasar por el pueblo.

1 SIMULTANEOUS [adjective] B1

happening at the same time as something else, but not necessarily connected to it

simultáneo pero independiente

  • parallel with/to A

Collocations run parallel to · follow the same pattern as

  • The two projects are running in parallel.

    Los dos proyectos están corriendo en paralelo.

2 EQUIVALENT [adjective] B2

equally important or effective as something else, but different in some way

igual de importante o efectivo pero diferente

  • parallel with/to A

Collocations be on a par with · have the same status as

  • The new system is parallel to the old one.

    El nuevo sistema es igual de importante que el antiguo.

3 SIMILAR [adjective] B2

similar or equal in some way, but not exactly the same

parecido pero no exactamente igual

  • parallel with/to A

Collocations be similar to · have a counterpart in

  • The two theories are parallel.

    Las dos teorías son paralelas.

4 ROUTE [adjective] B2

following a route that is the same distance from a central point as another route, but in a different direction

siguiendo una ruta paralela

  • parallel with/to A

Collocations take the parallel road · follow the same route as

  • The two routes are parallel.

    Las dos rutas son paralelas.