Definition of the word parking garage

The term "parking garage" originated in the late 1910s in the United States. As automobile ownership grew rapidly, the need for secure and convenient parking spaces also increased. In response, entrepreneurs began building enclosed structures to house cars, known as garages. The term "parking garage" describes these structures specifically designed for parking cars. The word "garage" originally referred to a building for housing automobiles, but as parking garages became more common, the term gradually came to mean more specifically a multi-level parking structure. Initially, parking garages were built adjacent to commercial buildings, such as office towers, hotels, and apartments, to provide convenient parking for patrons and residents. Over time, standalone parking garages have also become common, particularly in urban areas with limited street parking. The first modern parking garage opened in Los Angeles in 1922, and by the mid-1950s, thousands of garages had been constructed nationwide. Today, parking garages are an essential part of urban infrastructure, providing safe, secure parking and helping to manage traffic congestion in busy city centers.