park
A park is a public area with grass and trees where people go to relax or play.
Explanation at your level:
A park is a place outside. It has grass and trees. You can play there. You can walk there. It is a very nice place to be on a sunny day.
A park is a public area in a city. It is usually big. People go to the park to exercise, walk their dogs, or have a picnic. Most parks have benches and playgrounds for children.
A park is a managed green space in an urban environment. It provides a necessary break from city life. Many people use parks for recreational activities like jogging, cycling, or playing sports like football or tennis.
The term park refers to an area of land set aside for public enjoyment. Beyond simple recreation, parks are essential for urban biodiversity and mental health. You might hear people say 'let's meet at the park' as a standard social arrangement.
A park serves as a critical piece of urban infrastructure. It is not merely a recreational site but a communal hub that facilitates social cohesion. Historically, the evolution of the public park reflects changing societal attitudes toward leisure, environmental conservation, and urban planning.
The concept of a park transcends its physical definition as a landscaped area. It represents a socio-political commitment to public health and egalitarian access to nature. From the sprawling 'lungs' of a metropolis to the pocket parks of dense neighborhoods, the park remains a testament to the human need for managed wildness within the rigid geometry of the city.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A park is a public green space.
- It is used for leisure and play.
- It is a countable noun.
- It rhymes with dark.
When we talk about a park, we are usually describing a slice of nature tucked away in the middle of a busy city. It is a shared space where the community can go to escape the noise of traffic and concrete.
Think of a park as a public living room. Whether you want to jog on a path, let your children play on the slides, or simply sit on a bench with a good book, the park is the place to do it. It is a vital part of urban life that keeps us connected to the outdoors.
The word park has a fascinating history that dates back much further than the modern playground. It comes from the Old French word parc, which originally referred to an enclosed piece of ground for keeping animals.
In medieval times, a 'park' was actually a private hunting ground for the nobility. It wasn't until the 18th and 19th centuries that the concept evolved into the public space we know today. As cities grew crowded during the Industrial Revolution, city planners realized that people needed access to nature, leading to the creation of the beautiful, accessible parks we enjoy now.
Using the word park is very straightforward. You will most often hear it used with verbs like go to, visit, or walk in. For example, 'Let's go to the park' is one of the most common phrases in English.
In terms of register, it is a completely neutral word. You can use it in a casual conversation with friends or in a formal report about city planning. Common collocations include city park, national park, and public park. Remember, if you are referring to a specific one, you usually add the name, like 'Central Park' or 'Hyde Park'.
While 'park' is a simple noun, it appears in some fun idioms. A walk in the park means something is very easy to do. Park it is a casual, slightly bossy way of saying 'sit down'. Park your ego means to stop being arrogant or self-centered. In the park is a common way to describe being outdoors, and park bench is often used as a symbol for quiet observation or homelessness.
Grammatically, park is a countable noun. You can have one park, two parks, or many parks. It usually takes the definite article 'the' when referring to a specific local park, or the indefinite article 'a' when mentioning one in general.
The pronunciation in British English is /pɑːk/, while in American English, the 'r' is more pronounced as /pɑrk/. It rhymes with dark, mark, shark, spark, and stark. The stress is always on the single syllable, making it a very punchy, clear word to say.
Fun Fact
Originally, parks were for kings to hunt deer, not for people to play!
Pronunciation Guide
Long 'a' sound, no 'r' sound.
Clear 'r' sound, rhotic.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'k' too softly
- Dropping the 'r' in US English
- Confusing 'park' with 'pack'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
very easy
very easy
very easy
very easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Articles
The park
Countable Nouns
Two parks
Prepositions of Place
In the park
Examples by Level
I go to the park.
I / go / to / the / park.
Use 'to' for destination.
The park is big.
The / park / is / big.
Verb 'is' for description.
We play in the park.
We / play / in / the / park.
Use 'in' for location.
I like this park.
I / like / this / park.
Demonstrative 'this'.
Is there a park?
Is / there / a / park?
Question structure.
The park has trees.
The / park / has / trees.
Subject-verb agreement.
See the park!
See / the / park!
Imperative.
My park is nice.
My / park / is / nice.
Possessive pronoun.
The children are playing in the park.
We had a picnic at the park yesterday.
Is there a park near your house?
I walk my dog in the park every morning.
The park is closed at night.
There are many flowers in the city park.
Let's meet at the park entrance.
The park is a great place to relax.
The local park has a new playground.
National parks are protected areas of land.
We spent the afternoon lounging in the park.
The park is well-maintained by the city council.
He decided to take a shortcut through the park.
Many people gather in the park for festivals.
The park offers a peaceful escape from the city noise.
She enjoys jogging around the park perimeter.
The city council is planning to renovate the central park.
It was a walk in the park compared to my last job.
The park serves as a vital green space for the community.
They are holding a protest in the park this weekend.
The park is beautifully landscaped with native plants.
He likes to park his bike by the park gate.
The park is crowded on sunny weekends.
We should preserve our urban parks for future generations.
The urban park serves as an oasis of tranquility amidst the concrete jungle.
The development of the park was a cornerstone of the city’s revitalization project.
The park’s design incorporates both formal gardens and wild meadows.
The park has become a focal point for political demonstrations.
The city’s park system is one of the most extensive in the country.
She found a quiet corner of the park to read her manuscript.
The park’s maintenance budget has been significantly reduced.
The park provides a habitat for various migratory bird species.
The park, with its manicured lawns and sweeping vistas, is a triumph of landscape architecture.
The park acts as a socio-economic equalizer in the heart of the metropolis.
The park’s history is inextricably linked to the city’s industrial expansion.
The park offers a respite from the relentless pace of modern existence.
The park is a sanctuary for both the weary urbanite and the local fauna.
The park’s verdant expanse is a testament to the city's commitment to sustainability.
The park is a microcosm of the city's diverse population.
The park is an essential element of the city's cultural heritage.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"a walk in the park"
something very easy
The exam was a walk in the park.
casual"park it"
sit down
Park it over there and relax.
casual"park your ego"
stop being arrogant
You need to park your ego to work in this team.
casual"in the park"
outside/leisurely
We spent the day in the park.
neutral"park bench philosopher"
someone who shares wisdom in public
He acts like a park bench philosopher.
humorous"park life"
the experience of living near/using parks
I love the park life in this city.
casualEasily Confused
similar root
parking is for cars, park is for people
I parked in the parking lot near the park.
similar sound
pack is to put things in a bag
Pack your bag for the park.
contains 'park'
a parkway is a road
We drove on the parkway.
contains 'park'
parkland is the type of land
The area is designated parkland.
Sentence Patterns
Let's go to the park.
Let's go to the park.
There is a park nearby.
There is a park nearby.
The park is full of people.
The park is full of people.
We spent the day at the park.
We spent the day at the park.
The city park is a beautiful place.
The city park is a beautiful place.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Parking is an uncountable noun when referring to the act of leaving a car.
You need the definite article 'the' for specific public places.
Always use 'the' for public spaces.
We use noun adjuncts rather than 'of' phrases for locations.
Missing the article.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize your local park to remember the word.
Native Usage
Use 'the park' when talking about your local one.
Cultural Insight
Parks are social hubs.
Grammar Shortcut
Park is countable.
Say It Right
Rhymes with dark.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't forget 'the'.
Did You Know?
Parks were once for kings.
Study Smart
Use it in a sentence today.
Expand
Learn 'landscaping'.
Context
Use it for leisure.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
P-A-R-K: People Always Relax, Kids play.
Visual Association
A green space with a big oak tree and a swing set.
Word Web
Challenge
Visit a park today and count how many different types of trees you see.
Word Origin
Old French
Original meaning: Enclosed land
Cultural Context
None, though 'park' can be a surname.
Parks are central to British and American social life, often hosting farmers' markets or concerts.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
leisure
- go for a walk
- have a picnic
- sit on a bench
travel
- visit a park
- take photos
- enjoy the view
parenting
- take the kids
- play on the swings
- watch them play
exercise
- go for a run
- do yoga
- cycle through
Conversation Starters
"Do you have a favorite park in your city?"
"What do you like to do when you go to the park?"
"Do you prefer big national parks or small city parks?"
"Is there a park near your home?"
"What is the best time of year to visit a park?"
Journal Prompts
Describe your favorite memory in a park.
If you could design a park, what would it have?
Why are parks important for cities?
Write about a day you spent in nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsUsually yes, but national parks are for nature too.
No, that's illegal! You use a parking lot.
Yes, it is.
A very small park in a city.
From the medieval word for an enclosed hunting ground.
Most are, but some are paved.
It depends on local laws.
Someone who looks after the park.
Test Yourself
The ___ is green.
A park is typically green.
Where do you go to play?
Parks are for play.
A park is usually a building.
A park is an outdoor space.
Word
Meaning
Matching nouns to categories.
Correct structure is 'Let's go to the park'.
Score: /5
Summary
A park is your local outdoor living room for relaxation and fun.
- A park is a public green space.
- It is used for leisure and play.
- It is a countable noun.
- It rhymes with dark.
Memory Palace
Visualize your local park to remember the word.
Native Usage
Use 'the park' when talking about your local one.
Cultural Insight
Parks are social hubs.
Grammar Shortcut
Park is countable.
Example
I usually go for a run in the park every Saturday morning.
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Learn it in Context
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
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delay
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lobby
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