Meaning & use
parsing
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“parsing” is a form of “parse”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
noununcountablecomputing
The process of analysing a sentence or string of data to identify its parts and how they fit together.
Grammar: Noun use: parsing is slow with large files.
Patterns
- parsing of something
Parsing the log file took several seconds.
Students practised parsing sentences in grammar class.
The parsing of the code revealed a syntax error.
verbtransitive
Present participle of parse: breaking a sentence or text into parts to study its structure.
Grammar: Takes an object: parsing a sentence.
Patterns
- parsing something into something
She was parsing the sentence into subject and verb.
The program is parsing a long JSON file.
He is parsing the contract to find the key clauses.
noununcountablefigurative
Close analysis of a statement to find its precise meaning, often when the meaning is slippery.
Grammar: Figurative; often with words or statements.
Patterns
- parsing of words
The lawyer's parsing of the statement changed its meaning.
Critics mocked the parsing of every word in the press release.
Endless parsing of the memo led nowhere.
Word forms
| third person singular | parses |
|---|---|
| past tense | parsed |
| past participle | parsed |
| -ing form | parsing |
Common combinations
- parsing a sentence
- Parsing a sentence helps students see grammar.
- parsing data
- Parsing data from a website is a common task.
- parsing error
- The compiler reported a parsing error.
- parsing text
- The tool excels at parsing text into words.
- parsing the language
- Parsing the language of the law takes patience.
Synonyms and how they differ
- analyzing
- It is broader and does not need a rule-based breakdown of structure.
- dissecting
- It suggests a very detailed, sometimes critical, examination.
- interpreting
- It focuses on explaining meaning rather than structure.
- breaking down
- It is a plain phrase for splitting into pieces.
Word family
- parse verb
- to analyse text or data by its structure
- parser noun
- a program or person that parses
- parsed adjective
- already analysed into parts
- parsable adjective
- able to be analysed in this way
Commonly confused: parsing or parsley?
parsing vs parsley
Parsley is a herb, not related to parsing despite the similar letters.
Practice
The software is ______ the file to pull out each customer's name and address. Which word fits?
Choose one answer.
Parsing means analysing text or data into its structured parts. The other words look similar but mean different things.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “parsing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.