zone

¹zone

noun \ˈzōn\

Definition of ZONE

1

a : any of five great divisions of the earth's surface with respect to latitude and temperature — compare frigid zone, temperate zone, torrid zone

b : a portion of the surface of a sphere included between two parallel planes

2

archaic : girdle, belt

3

a : an encircling anatomical structure

b (1) : a subdivision of a biogeographic region that supports a similar fauna and flora throughout its extent (2) : such a zone dominated by a particular life form

c : a distinctive belt, layer, or series of layers of earth materials (as rock)

4

: a region or area set off as distinct from surrounding or adjoining parts

5

: one of the sections of an area or territory created for a particular purpose: as

a : a zoned section of a city

b (1) : any of the eight concentric bands of territory centered on a given postal shipment point designated as a distance bracket for United States parcel post to which mail is charged at a single rate (2) : a distance within which the same fare is charged by a common carrier

c : an area on a field of play

d : a stretch of roadway or a space in which certain traffic regulations are in force

6

: zone defense

7

: a temporary state of heightened concentration experienced by a performing athlete that enables peak performance <players in the zone>

Examples of ZONE

1. <at that point we were out of the danger zone for avalanches>

Origin of ZONE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin zona belt, zone, from Greek zōnē; akin to Lithuanian juosti to gird

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to ZONE

Synonyms

belt, corridor, land, neck, part(s), tract, region

Related Words

district, domain, latitude(s), range, realm, terrain, territory; neighborhood, vicinity

Rhymes with ZONE

blown, bone, clone, cone, crone, drone, flown, groan, grown, hone, known, loan, lone, moan, Mon, none, own, phone, pone, prone, Rhône, roan, Saône, scone, sone, stone, throne, tone

²zone

verb

zonedzon·ing

Definition of ZONE

transitive verb

1

: to surround with a zone : encircle

2

: to arrange in or mark off into zones; specifically : to partition (a city, borough, or township) by ordinance into sections reserved for different purposes (as residence or business)

— zon·er noun

Examples of ZONE

1. The town council voted to zone the area for industrial use.

First Known Use of ZONE

1782

³zone

adjective

Definition of ZONE

1

: zonal 1

2

: of, relating to, or occurring in a zone defense <a zone press> <a zone blitz>

First Known Use of ZONE

1795

zone

noun \ˈzōn\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of ZONE

1

: an encircling anatomical structure

2

: a region or area set off as distinct