zonal

adjective

zon·​al ˈzō-nᵊl 

1

: of, relating to, affecting, or having the form of a zone

a zonal boundary

2

: of, relating to, or being a soil or a major soil group marked by well-developed characteristics that are determined primarily by the action of climate and organisms (such as vegetation) compare azonal, intrazonal

zonally

ˈzō-nᵊl-ē 

adverb

Examples of zonal in a Sentence

We installed a zonal heating system in the house.

Recent Examples on the Web

Geraniums Many of the most common potted geraniums can be transitioned indoors, including popular zonal geraniums, as well as scented-leaf and ivy-leaf geraniums. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 28 Sep. 2026

Through the year 2027, architecture convergence will remain predominant, meaning centralized computing, zonal designs, maturing OTA functionality, shareable and reusable software platforms and stronger hardware/software modularity. — Rajjie Sarmey, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Apple Maps data will also inform Ford’s BlueCruise Level 2 hands-free driving feature and a new zonal architecture, industry jargon for how the electronics are physically arranged in a vehicle. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 24 July 2026

Specifically, Atlantic Niña is the cold phase of a natural climate pattern known as the Atlantic zonal mode. — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 17 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

zone entry 1 + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing zonal

• inter-zonal

Rhymes for zonal

• clonal
• sonal
• tonal
• atonal
• coronal
• hormonal
• umbonal
• veronal
• embryonal
• monoclonal
• polyclonal

Kids Definition

zonal

adjective

zon·​al ˈzōn-ᵊl 

: of, relating to, or having the form of a zone

a zonal boundary

Medical Definition

zonal

adjective

zon·​al ˈzōn-ᵊl 

: of, relating to, affecting, or having the form of a zone

a zonal boundary