Plot vs. Parcel — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 17, 2024
A plot typically refers to a piece of land designated for a specific purpose, while a parcel is a term used for a unit of land, often in the context of shipping or land ownership.
Difference Between Plot and Parcel
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A plot of land is often defined by its intended use or the story it's a part of, such as in gardening, construction, or narrative contexts. For example, a plot can be a small area of land used for gardening or a designated space for building a house. In literature or storytelling, a plot refers to the sequence of events that make up a story. On the other hand, a parcel usually refers to a piece of land in terms of property, ownership, or legal context. It can also mean a package or an object prepared for shipping.
When discussing real estate, a plot usually refers to a marked piece of land intended for development or cultivation. It can be defined by specific dimensions and boundaries, often part of a larger area divided for individual ownership or use. In contrast, a parcel of land refers to a defined unit of property that may be subject to legal rights, restrictions, and transactions. It is often used in legal documents, surveys, and in the context of property taxation.
In urban planning and development, a plot can signify a designated area for constructing residential, commercial, or industrial buildings. It implies a planned use and development within certain zoning regulations. Conversely, a parcel can encompass a wider range of land sizes and uses, not necessarily defined by immediate development plans but rather by its potential for subdivision, sale, or land use classification.
The size of a plot can vary greatly depending on its intended use, from small garden plots to large construction sites. The term emphasizes the planned or current use of the land. Parcels, however, are typically defined by legal boundaries and can range from small lots to vast expanses of land. The focus is more on the legal and transactional aspect of the land rather than its specific use.
Ownership and legal implications differ between plots and parcels. A plot might be owned and used by an individual, a family, or a community, with a focus on the practical use of the land. A parcel, however, is often defined within a legal framework, involving deeds, titles, and property rights that are recorded in public records, highlighting the formal ownership and potential for transaction.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A piece of land designated for a specific purpose
A unit of land, often in property or shipping context
Context
Gardening, construction, storytelling
Real estate, legal, shipping
Emphasis
Intended use or narrative context
Legal ownership, property rights
Size and Use
Varied, based on specific plans or stories
Defined by legal boundaries, may encompass a range of uses
Ownership
Focused on practical use and development
Defined by legal documentation, emphasizing formal ownership
Compare with Definitions
Plot
A marked piece of land for gardening, building, or other specific uses.
They bought a small plot for their dream home.
Parcel
A unit of land with defined boundaries, often related to property rights.
The parcel of land was listed for sale at a prime location.
Plot
In literature, the sequence of events in a story.
The plot of the novel was intricate and engaging.
Parcel
A package or object prepared for shipping.
The courier delivered a large parcel this morning.
Plot
In surveying, a mapped area of land with defined boundaries.
The surveyor outlined the plot with precise measurements.
Parcel
An area of land, especially in rural or undeveloped regions.
They own a large parcel in the countryside for farming.
Plot
A plan or scheme, often with a secret or illicit purpose.
The movie revolves around a plot to steal a priceless painting.
Parcel
A portion or part of something larger.
The project was divided into several parcels, each managed by a different team.
Plot
A graphical representation of data points.
The scientist presented a plot showing temperature changes over time.
Parcel
In legal terms, a piece of real property.
The deed included a description of the parcel's boundaries.
Plot
A plan made in secret by a group of people to do something illegal or harmful
There's a plot to overthrow the government
Parcel
An object or collection of objects wrapped in paper in order to be carried or sent by post
A brown paper parcel
A parcel bomb
The lorry was carrying a large number of Royal Mail parcels
Plot
The main events of a play, novel, film, or similar work, devised and presented by the writer as an interrelated sequence
The plot consists almost entirely of a man and woman falling in love
He outlined his idea for a movie plot
Parcel
A quantity or amount of something, especially as dealt with in one commercial transaction
A parcel of shares
Plot
A small piece of ground marked out for a purpose such as building or gardening
A vegetable plot
Parcel
Make (something) into a parcel by wrapping it
He parcelled up the goods and sent them back
Plot
A graph showing the relation between two variables.
Parcel
Wrap (rope) with strips of tarred canvas, before binding it with yarn as part of a traditional technique to reduce chafing.
Plot
Secretly make plans to carry out (an illegal or harmful action)
The two men are serving sentences for plotting a bomb campaign
Brother plots against brother
Parcel
Something wrapped up or packaged; a package.
Plot
Devise the sequence of events in (a play, novel, film, or similar work)
In a crime story you have to plot carefully to achieve the surprise at the end
She would plot a chapter as she drove
Parcel
A plot of land, usually a division of a larger area.
Plot
Mark (a route or position) on a chart
He started to plot lines of ancient sites
Parcel
A quantity of merchandise offered for sale.
Plot
A small piece of ground, generally used for a specific purpose
A garden plot.
Parcel
A group or company; a pack
"this youthful parcel of noble bachelors" (Shakespeare).
Plot
A measured area of land; a lot.
Parcel
To divide into parts and distribute
Parceled out the land to their three children.
Plot
A ground plan, as for a building; a diagram.
Parcel
To make into a parcel; package.
Plot
See graph1.
Parcel
(Nautical) To wind protective strips of canvas around (rope).
Plot
The pattern or sequence of interrelated events in a work of fiction, as a novel or film.
Parcel
A package wrapped for shipment.
I saw a brown paper parcel on my doorstep.
Plot
A secret plan to accomplish a hostile or illegal purpose; a scheme.
Parcel
An individual consignment of cargo for shipment, regardless of size and form.
Plot
To represent graphically, as on a chart
Plot a ship's course.
Parcel
An individual item appearing on an invoice or receipt (only in the phrase bill of parcels).
Plot
To locate (points or other figures) on a graph by means of coordinates.
Parcel
A division of land bought and sold as a unit.
I own a small parcel of land between the refinery and the fish cannery.
Plot
To draw (a curve) connecting points on a graph.
Parcel
(obsolete) A group of birds.
Plot
To write or develop the plot of
"I began plotting novels at about the time I learned to read" (James Baldwin).
Parcel
An indiscriminate or indefinite number, measure, or quantity; a collection; a group.
Plot
To form a plot for; prearrange secretly or deviously
Plot an assassination.
Parcel
A small amount of food that has been wrapped up, for example a pastry.
Plot
To form or take part in a plot; scheme
Were plotting for months before the attack.
Parcel
A portion of anything taken separately; a fragment of a whole; a part.
A certain piece of land is part and parcel of another piece.
Plot
To write or develop the plot for a work of fiction
A good mystery writer must plot well.
Parcel
To wrap something up into the form of a package.
Plot
(narratology) The course of a story, comprising a series of incidents which are gradually unfolded, sometimes by unexpected means.
Parcel
To wrap a strip around the end of a rope.
Worm and parcel with the lay; turn and serve the other way.
Plot
An area or land used for building on or planting on.
Parcel
To divide and distribute by parts or portions; often with out or into.
Plot
A graph or diagram drawn by hand or produced by a mechanical or electronic device.
Parcel
To add a parcel or item to; to itemize.
Plot
A secret plan to achieve an end, the end or means usually being illegal or otherwise questionable.
The plot would have enabled them to get a majority on the board.
The assassination of Lincoln was part of a larger plot.
Parcel
(obsolete) Part or half; in part; partially.
Plot
Contrivance; deep reach thought; ability to plot or intrigue.
Parcel
A portion of anything taken separately; a fragment of a whole; a part.
Two parcels of the white of an egg.
The parcels of the nation adopted different forms of self-government.
Plot
Participation in any stratagem or conspiracy.
Parcel
A part; a portion; a piece; as, a certain piece of land is part and parcel of another piece.
Plot
A plan; a purpose.
Parcel
An indiscriminate or indefinite number, measure, or quantity; a collection; a group.
This youthful parcelOf noble bachelors stand at my disposing.
Plot
Attractive physical attributes of characters involved in a story, originating from ironic juxtaposition with the original meaning (course of the story).
I'm not sure what's happening in that show, I mainly watch it for the plot.
Parcel
A number or quantity of things put up together; a bundle; a package; a packet.
'Tis like a parcel sent you by the stage.
Plot
To conceive (a crime, misdeed etc).
They had plotted a robbery.
They were plotting against the king.
Parcel
To divide and distribute by parts or portions; - often with out or into.
These ghostly kings would parcel out my power.
The broad woodland parceled into farms.
Plot
(transitive) To trace out (a graph or diagram).
They plotted the number of edits per day.
Parcel
To add a parcel or item to; to itemize.
That mine own servant shouldParcel the sum of my disgraces byAddition of his envy.
Plot
(transitive) To mark (a point on a graph, chart, etc).
Every five minutes they plotted their position.
Parcel
To make up into a parcel; as, to parcel a customer's purchases; the machine parcels yarn, wool, etc.
Plot
A small extent of ground; a plat; as, a garden plot.
Parcel
Part or half; in part; partially.
The worthy dame was parcel-blind.
One that . . . was parcel-bearded [partially bearded].
Plot
A plantation laid out.
Parcel
A wrapped container
Plot
A plan or draught of a field, farm, estate, etc., drawn to a scale.
Parcel
The result of parcelling out or sharing;
Death gets more than its share of attention from theologicans
Plot
Any scheme, stratagem, secret design, or plan, of a complicated nature, adapted to the accomplishment of some purpose, usually a treacherous and mischievous one; a conspiracy; an intrigue; as, the Rye-house Plot.
I have overheard a plot of death.
O, think what anxious moments pass betweenThe birth of plots and their last fatal periods!
Parcel
An extended area of land
Plot
Contrivance; deep reach of thought; ability to plot or intrigue.
Parcel
A collection of things wrapped or boxed together
Plot
A plan; a purpose.
Parcel
Divide into parts;
The developers parceled the land
Plot
In fiction, the story of a play, novel, romance, or poem, comprising a complication of incidents which are gradually unfolded, sometimes by unexpected means.
If the plot or intrigue must be natural, and such as springs from the subject, then the winding up of the plot must be a probable consequence of all that went before.
Parcel
Cover with strips of canvas;
Parcel rope
Plot
To make a plot, map, pr plan, of; to mark the position of on a plan; to delineate.
This treatise plotteth down Cornwall as it now standeth.
Parcel
Make into a wrapped container
Plot
To form a scheme of mischief against another, especially against a government or those who administer it; to conspire.
The wicked plotteth against the just.
Plot
To contrive a plan or stratagem; to scheme.
The prince did plot to be secretly gone.
Plot
To plan; to scheme; to devise; to contrive secretly.
Plot
A secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal);
They concocted a plot to discredit the governor
I saw through his little game from the start
Plot
A small area of ground covered by specific vegetation;
A bean plot
A cabbage patch
A briar patch
Plot
The story that is told in a novel or play or movie etc.;
The characters were well drawn but the plot was banal
Plot
A chart or map showing the movements or progress of an object
Plot
Plan secretly, usually something illegal;
They plotted the overthrow fo the government
Plot
Make a schematic or technical drawing of that shows how things work or how they are constructed
Plot
Make a plat of;
Plat the town
Common Curiosities
What legal documents are associated with a parcel of land?
Deeds, titles, and property tax documents often reference parcels, detailing ownership and land rights.
Can a plot and a parcel refer to the same piece of land?
Yes, depending on the context, both terms can describe the same land but from different perspectives (usage vs. legal ownership).
How do urban planners differentiate between plots and parcels?
Urban planners might use "plot" for specific development sites and "parcel" for units of land recognized in legal or ownership contexts.
What is the significance of parcel boundaries in real estate transactions?
Parcel boundaries define the exact size and limits of the property being bought or sold, crucial for legal documentation and valuation.
Can a parcel contain multiple plots?
Yes, a larger parcel can be subdivided into multiple plots for development or sale, each with a specific intended use.
How do zoning regulations affect plots and parcels?
Zoning regulations determine how plots and parcels can be used, impacting development plans, building types, and land use classifications.
Why might a garden plot and a construction plot be treated differently in urban planning?
Different uses require distinct considerations, such as space allocation, resource needs, and impact on the surrounding area.
How is a plot used in storytelling different from a plot of land?
In storytelling, a plot refers to the sequence of events or storyline, whereas a plot of land is a tangible piece of property.
Why is the term parcel commonly used in shipping?
In shipping, a parcel denotes a packaged item or goods prepared for transport, emphasizing its containment and unitization.
How can a plot in a story influence its characters and themes?
The plot shapes the characters' journeys, challenges, and growth, weaving together the story's themes and messages.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
