buffer zone

noun

: a neutral area separating conflicting forces

broadly : an area designed to separate

Examples of buffer zone in a Sentence

There must be a 500-foot buffer zone between the river and the new buildings.

Recent Examples on the Web

But there are hard limits on how big this buffer zone can get. —David Axe, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that his goal was to create a buffer zone that would limit Ukrainian strikes on cities and towns in Russia. —Serhiy Morgunov, Washington Post, 8 July 2024

The case stirred a frenzied online following and attracted protesters, mostly advocating for Read's innocence, to the courthouse – leading the judge to impose a 200-foot buffer zone around the courthouse in April, the Patriot Ledger, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. —Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 1 July 2024

To protect themselves against an external threat, insecure states may build up their military forces, seize territory that could form a buffer zone, or conquer a threatening adversary. —Charles L. Glaser, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

buffer zone

noun

: an area designed to separate: as

a

: an area with certain boundaries beyond which protestors may not pass

b

: an area separating land used for different purposes

a buffer zone between the development and the park