A parallel circuit is an electrical circuit where multiple paths are available for current to flow. In this setup, components like resistors, capacitors, or light bulbs are connected alongside each other, rather than in a single line. This means that if one component fails, the others can still operate, allowing the circuit to continue functioning. In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each component remains the same, while the total current is the sum of the currents through each path. This characteristic makes parallel circuits useful in many applications, such as in household wiring, where multiple devices can operate independently.