What is pelican crossing? How to use in English

Discover the meaning of pelican crossing in English, its pronunciation, and how to use it correctly in real-life situations. See examples and easy memorization tips.

Definition & pronunciation of pelican crossing

pelican crossingnoun

đường đi qua của bồ nông

/ˌpelɪkən ˈkrɒsɪŋ//ˌpelɪkən ˈkrɔːsɪŋ/

Where does the word pelican crossing come from?

The term "pelican crossing" is commonly used in the United Kingdom to refer to a type of pedestrian crossing signal at a road intersection. The phrase's origin can be traced back to the mid-20th century, when these crossings were first introduced in the country. At the time, pelican (which stands for Pedestrian Light Controlled Crossing) was one of the first traffic signal systems designed explicitly for controlling pedestrian movements. The name "pelican" was chosen by a group of engineers at the Greater London Council (GLC) who were tasked with developing this new pedestrian crossing system. The name "pelican" was a pun on the bird's habit of diving into the water to scoop up prey with its beak, as the signals themselves included a set of "beaks" that descended from above in order to push a button and stop traffic. These beaks are no longer used in modern pelican crossings, but the name has stuck. Today, pelican crossings are a common feature of urban areas in the United Kingdom and are widely recognized by locals and visitors alike. They are an important part of the country's efforts to promote pedestrian safety and prevent accidents at busy intersections.

Example of vocabulary pelican crossingnamespace

  • As I approached the pelican crossing, I saw a group of pedestrians waiting to cross the road.
  • The pelican crossing illuminated as the traffic lights changed, signaling it was safe to cross.
  • I carefully stepped onto the pelican crossing, making sure to look both ways before setting foot on the road.
  • The pelican crossing beeped loudly, reminding drivers to be cautious of pedestrians crossing.
  • The pelican crossing flashed red and proceeded to lift the traffic signals, allowing pedestrians to cross safely.

Synonyms and related words for pelican crossing


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