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

Note that games exclusively broadcast nationally on ESPN, ABC, NBC, Peacock and Prime Video are not included in the Grizzlies package, and eligibility is based on your zip code. — Sophie Dunne, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026

The Dells’ money will go to children in ZIP codes with median incomes of $150,000 or less, giving millions of families a chance to start building wealth early. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Verb

Endless waiting lists, a shortage of local specialists, and zip-code lotteries can leave families waiting for extended periods, even when neurodivergent flags fly high. — K.h. Koehler, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2026

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

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.