WordGarden.ioparallelism
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈparəlɛlɪz(ə)m/
US
- /ˈpɛrəˌlɛˌlɪzəm/
Meanings
Noun
a close correspondence or similarity between separate things
the use of matching grammatical or rhetorical structure
the state of being parallel in direction, position, or layout
More meaningsFewer meanings
the simultaneous execution of multiple operations or processes
Beyond the definition
Parallelism is not only about lines that never meet. It is also about things that match in structure or move side by side in a clear way. You can see it in writing when parts of a sentence follow the same pattern, which gives the words rhythm and balance. You can also notice it in music, in ideas that closely match, or in tasks done at the same time. In each case, the sense is one of order, likeness, and connection.
Parallelism is a fascinating concept with meanings that stretch far beyond the realm of geometry. At its most basic, it describes the state of being parallel—lines, planes, or objects that never intersect, even if extended infinitely. Think of railroad tracks stretching into the distance; they run alongside each other, maintaining a constant distance and never converging.
However, parallelism extends deep into the world of language. In rhetoric and linguistics, it refers to the balance and similarity in structure between two or more words, phrases, or clauses. A classic example is Lincoln's famous phrase: "of the people, by the people, for the people." The repeated structure of "preposition + the people" creates a powerful rhythmic effect and emphasizes his message. Writers use this device to create elegance, clarity, and persuasive impact.
In music, parallel harmonies or melodic lines move together while keeping the same interval, which can create a rich, unified sound. In the digital age, "parallel processing" in computer science refers to carrying out multiple tasks at the same time, a form of functional parallelism that powers modern technology.
Beyond these technical uses, parallelism describes similarities in ideas, experiences, or events. You might observe "a striking parallelism" between two historical periods, noting shared social trends or political upheavals. It suggests a deeper connection—an underlying pattern that links seemingly unrelated occurrences. Whether it's lines on a page, structures in a speech, or patterns in history, parallelism is about highlighting connections through symmetry and correspondence, creating a sense of balance and meaning.
Examples
- 1
Story comparison
There is a clear parallelism between the two stories: both begin with a journey and end with a return.
- 2
Historical comparison
Some historians have noted a parallelism between the economic problems of the 1930s and those of the 1970s.
- Usageparallelism between A and B
a formal way to say A and B are similar in an important way
- 3
List structure
For better parallelism, change the list to “cook dinner, wash the dishes, and clean the kitchen.”
- Phrasefor better parallelism
to make the parts match in form
- 4
Speech writing
The speech uses parallelism to make its main point easier to remember.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Computing
Modern processors use parallelism to do several calculations at the same time.
- Domainin technical contexts, parallelism
doing more than one task at once
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- parallelism between
- striking parallelism
- close parallelism
Word family
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Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- parallelismnoun
Forms
- parallelismspluralnoun