What does "Pelican crossing" mean?

A pedestrian crossing with traffic lights activated by a button. British term for a signal-controlled pedestrian crossing—named from 'PEdestrian LIght CONtrolled crossing.'

How do you use "Pelican crossing" in a sentence?

Press the button at the pelican crossing. Wait for the green man at the pelican crossing. The pelican crossing lights are broken.

Pelican crossing

Slang Term British ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

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Meaning: A pedestrian crossing with traffic lights activated by a button.

通过按钮激活交通信号灯的人行横道。

Un paso de peatones con semáforos activados por un botón.

ボタンで信号を変えられる歩行者用横断歩道。

버튼으로 신호를 바꿀 수 있는 보행자 신호 횡단보도.

British term for a signal-controlled pedestrian crossing—named from 'PEdestrian LIght CONtrolled crossing.'

英式英语中指信号控制的人行横道。名称来源于'PEdestrian LIght CONtrolled crossing'的缩写。

Término británico para un paso de peatones controlado por señales. El nombre viene de 'PEdestrian LIght CONtrolled crossing'.

信号制御式の歩行者用横断歩道を指すイギリス英語。「PEdestrian LIght CONtrolled crossing」の略。

영국식 표현으로 신호 제어 횡단보도를 뜻함—'PEdestrian LIght CONtrolled crossing'에서 유래한 이름.

Literal meaning: Pedestrian light controlled crossing

Examples

Press the button at the pelican crossing.
在鹈鹕式过街处按按钮
Pulsa el botón en el paso de peatones con semáforo
ペリカン横断歩道でボタンを押して
펠리컨 횡단보도에서 버튼을 눌러.
Wait for the green man at the pelican crossing.
在鹈鹕式过街处等绿灯
Espera al muñeco verde en el paso
ペリカン横断歩道で青信号を待って
펠리컨 횡단보도에서 초록불을 기다려.
The pelican crossing lights are broken.
鹈鹕式过街处的信号灯坏了
Los semáforos del paso de peatones están rotos
ペリカン横断歩道の信号が壊れている
펠리컨 횡단보도 신호가 고장났다.

Pronunciation

/ˈpelɪkən ˈkrɒsɪŋ/

Usage Guide

Context: pedestrians, roads, traffic lights

Tone: neutral, everyday

✓ Do Say

At the pelican crossing.
在鹈鹕式过街处
En el paso de peatones con semáforo
ペリカン横断歩道で
펠리컨 횡단보도에서.
Press the pelican crossing button.
按鹈鹕式过街处的按钮
Pulsa el botón del paso
ペリカン横断歩道のボタンを押して
펠리컨 횡단보도 버튼을 눌러.
Wait at the pelican crossing.
在鹈鹕式过街处等待
Espera en el paso de peatones
ペリカン横断歩道で待って
펠리컨 횡단보도에서 기다려.

✗ Don't Say

Traffic light crossing
Traffic light crossing（一般说法）
Traffic light crossing（término genérico）
Traffic light crossing（信号付き横断歩道という一般的な言い方）
Traffic light crossing（일반적인 표현）
Signal crossing
Signal crossing（一般说法）
Signal crossing（término genérico）
Signal crossing（信号式横断歩道という言い方）
Signal crossing（일반적인 표현）

Common Mistakes

British acronym—doesn't exist in American English
Nothing to do with the bird!

Origin & History

Acronym from PEdestrian LIght CONtrolled crossing.

Etymology: British acronym, 1969

First recorded: 1969

Cultural Context

Era: 1969 to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: British road safety; Green Cross Code

Regional notes: Unique British term—acronym from Pedestrian Light Controlled.

Variations

Pelican crossingPelican