zip code

1 of 2

noun

variants or less commonly ZIP code

plural zip codes also ZIP codes

1

: a number that identifies a particular postal delivery area in the U.S.

2

: the geographic area identified by a zip code

zip-code

2 of 2

verb

ˈzip-ˌkōd 

zip-coded; zip-coding; zip-codes

transitive verb

: to furnish with a zip code

Examples of zip code in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Northspan consultants acknowledged that analyzing economic output across 11 different zip codes has its challenges. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 9 Apr. 2026

Orange County had 58 million-dollar ZIP codes in the three months ending in January – up one in a year. —Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 9 Apr. 2026

Verb

Health coverage should not be a zip-code lottery. —Jesse Jackson Jr, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2026

Gilbert provides a unique blend of exclusivity, privacy and proximity to everything the Valley has to offer, but without the zip-code premium that comes with other luxury neighborhoods. —Catherine Dunwoody, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

zone improvement plan

First Known Use

Noun

1962, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1962, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for zip code

• abode
• anode
• barcode
• bestowed
• boatload
• borrowed
• carload
• caseload
• cathode
• commode
• corrode
• crossroad

Kids Definition

zip code

noun

: a number that identifies each postal delivery area in the U.S.