1. （存在或发生在不同地点或时间的）相似之物，类似物
    If something has a parallel, it is similar to something else, but exists or happens in a different place or at a different time. If it has no parallel or is without parallel, it is not similar to anything else.

    e.g. Readers familiar with English history will find a vague parallel to the suppression of the monasteries...
           熟悉英国历史的读者会发现这与镇压修道院略有相似之处。
    e.g. It's an ecological disaster with no parallel anywhere else in the world.
           这是一场在世界其他地方都没有出现过的生态灾难。

2. （两者间的）近似之处，相似之处
    If there are parallels between two things, they are similar in some ways.

    e.g. Detailed study of folk music from a variety of countries reveals many close parallels...
           仔细研究各国民间音乐后发现了许多非常相似之处。
    e.g. There are significant parallels with the 1980s...
           与20世纪80年代有明显相似之处。

3. 与…同时发生；与…相似
    If one thing parallels another, they happen at the same time or are similar, and often seem to be connected.

    e.g. Often there are emotional reasons paralleling the financial ones...
           往往情感方面的原因和经济方面原因同时存在。
    e.g. The change in smoking is paralleled by a change in the incidence of lung cancer...
           吸烟情况的变化与肺癌发病率的变化如影随形。

4. 同时发生的；相类似的
    Parallel events or situations happen at the same time as one another, or are similar to one another.

    e.g. ...parallel talks between the two countries' Foreign Ministers...
           两国外交部长同时进行的会谈
    e.g. Their instincts do not always run parallel with ours...
           他们的本能并不总是和我们的相同。

5. 平行的；并列的
    If two lines, two objects, or two lines of movement are parallel, they are the same distance apart along their whole length.

    e.g. ...seventy-two ships, drawn up in two parallel lines...
           平行排成两队的72艘船
    e.g. Farthing Lane's just above the High Street and parallel with it...
           法辛巷刚好在大街的北面，与大街平行。

6. （标于地图上的）纬线，纬圈
    A parallel is an imaginary line round the earth that is parallel to the equator. Parallels are shown on maps.

    e.g. ...the area south of the 38th parallel.
           38度纬线以南地区

7. 与…同时
    Something that occurs in parallel with something else occurs at the same time as it.

    e.g. Davies has managed to pursue his diverse interests in parallel with his fast-moving career...
           戴维斯在事业突飞猛进的同时并未放弃自己广泛的兴趣爱好。
    e.g. Progress on this issue must be made in parallel to any moves on the economic front.
           这个问题上的进展应该和经济领域的进展同步。