plural zones
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
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 (such 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: such 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 U.S. 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 of a field, court, or rink in which players defend or attack
penalized for entering the offensive zone offside
turnovers caused by an aggressive defensive zone press
[Daniel Jones] praised Slayton for his big efforts … "Yeah, I think he was doing a good job getting open, found some space in their zone, especially on third down, and made a couple of nice catches …"—
Stephen Lebitsch
Stephen Lebitsch
d
: a stretch of roadway or a space in which certain traffic regulations are in force
6
7
: a temporary state of heightened concentration experienced by a person that enables peak performance
… found his zone, taking the … Championship title …—Joey Goodman
Joey Goodman"I managed to start off with three birdies in a row and carried that momentum through the rest of the round," he [Darren Fichardt] said. "I was in the zone today and overall, I played some solid golf. …"—The Sunday Post
The Sunday PostThere's no underestimating how much work you can get done when you're in the zone and listening to music …—Alan Henry
Alan Henry
zoned; zoning; zones
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 (such as residence or business)
zoner
noun
plural zoners
1
2
: of, relating to, or occurring in a zone defense
a zone press
a zone blitz
Examples of zone in a Sentence
Noun
at that point we were out of the danger zone for avalanches
Verb
The town council voted to zone the area for industrial use.
Recent Examples on the WebPhil Helsel, NBC News, 9 Sep. 2023
Drivers should be prepared to slow down and merge safely when venturing through work zones.
—The Arizona Republic, 9 Sep. 2023
McCarthy, who didn't run last week, took a zone read for 17 yards on the final play of the quarter to set up first and goal.
—Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2023
Citing the document, NBC News noted that Bryan's security was pulled over at 5:40 p.m. local time for traveling 78 mph in a 55 mph zone, and 60 mph in a 35 mph zone.
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2023
The media had been following it before the zone was locked.
—Vulture, 8 Sep. 2023
State tourism officials, after initially urging travelers to stay away, are now asking them to come back, avoid the burn zone and help Maui recover by spending their money.
—Audrey McAvoy and Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Sep. 2023
The officer clocked Mullican with his radar driving 47 mph in a 30- mph zone.
—Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 6 Sep. 2023
Serrano didn’t evacuate or go to a shelter for Hurricane Ian last year, but felt the storm surge warnings ahead of Idalia warranted leaving her home off near downtown, a level A evacuation zone.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2023
Paul Gattis | Pgattis@al.com, al, 6 Sep. 2023
The request was to zone the land for multifamily dwellings up to 18 units an acre.
—Stacy Ryburn, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2023
The claim: Hawaii banned new construction except in cases of natural disaster; insurance denying fire claims for zoning infractions
An Aug. 17 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) makes a pair of claims about people losing their land in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires.
—Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2023
If approved by the board, the zoning regulations would then head to the city’s Zoning Commission for final approval.
—Catherine Carlock, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Aug. 2023
Those communities are part of Anchorage, but have their own unique zoning districts.
—Alex Demarban, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Aug. 2023
About 80 percent of San Diego’s residential land is zoned for single-family homes, though with ADUs and other new policies that zoning essentially no longer exists.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Aug. 2023
As more potential owners push their way past zoning regulations and find potential real estate options, the market in D-FW continues to heat up with more arcades opening.
—Irving Mejia-Hilario, Dallas News, 9 Aug. 2023
Another property zoned for residential use covering 1.28 acres sold for $537,500, the report stated.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2023
Dallas News, 17 Jan. 2021
Energy-efficient insulation and multi-zone heating and cooling systems (in the two-level home styles) help to offset the rising energy costs.
—Karen A. Avitabile, Hartford Courant, 28 Jan. 2023
These midweight socks provide enough insulation for most winter climates, but have multi-zone mesh panels to maximize breathability and minimize sweat and chafing.
—Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 27 Dec. 2022
Here was another mid-zone run, this time against the Lions in Week 7: The O-line did a great job of displacing both defensive tackles.
—Dallas News, 8 Nov. 2022
The optional Platinum Premium package adds a head-up display, heated rear seats, and tri-zone automatic climate control.
—Mark Takahashi, Car and Driver, 9 Dec. 2022
Thanks to a special ultra-zone technology that ensures consistent heat across the barrel, the blow-drying tool instantly delivers a silky-smooth finish with va-va-voom volume at the root.
—Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 28 Oct. 2022
There are also smart ductless air conditioners on the market, plus the majority of units come in a range of capacity options, along with single- and multi-zone models.
—Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 6 June 2022
And, there’s tri-zone climate controls, so passengers can control their own climate and cupholders for the second-row passengers.
—Christian De Looper, BGR, 7 May 2022
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Noun
The security guard, in an SUV, was pulled over for speeding around 5:40 p.m. — initially at 78 mph in a 55 mph zone, and then 60 mph in what was then a 35 mph zone when the SUV stopped, according to the affidavit.
—Phil Helsel, NBC News, 9 Sep. 2023
Drivers should be prepared to slow down and merge safely when venturing through work zones.
—The Arizona Republic, 9 Sep. 2023
McCarthy, who didn't run last week, took a zone read for 17 yards on the final play of the quarter to set up first and goal.
—Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2023
Citing the document, NBC News noted that Bryan's security was pulled over at 5:40 p.m. local time for traveling 78 mph in a 55 mph zone, and 60 mph in a 35 mph zone.
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2023
The media had been following it before the zone was locked.
—Vulture, 8 Sep. 2023
State tourism officials, after initially urging travelers to stay away, are now asking them to come back, avoid the burn zone and help Maui recover by spending their money.
—Audrey McAvoy and Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Sep. 2023
The officer clocked Mullican with his radar driving 47 mph in a 30- mph zone.
—Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 6 Sep. 2023
Serrano didn’t evacuate or go to a shelter for Hurricane Ian last year, but felt the storm surge warnings ahead of Idalia warranted leaving her home off near downtown, a level A evacuation zone.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2023
Verb
Keith’s north Huntsville property is in a residential area and the zoning district for the property, designated by the city as R1A, does not permit rental properties.
—Paul Gattis | Pgattis@al.com, al, 6 Sep. 2023
The request was to zone the land for multifamily dwellings up to 18 units an acre.
—Stacy Ryburn, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2023
The claim: Hawaii banned new construction except in cases of natural disaster; insurance denying fire claims for zoning infractions
An Aug. 17 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) makes a pair of claims about people losing their land in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires.
—Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2023
If approved by the board, the zoning regulations would then head to the city’s Zoning Commission for final approval.
—Catherine Carlock, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Aug. 2023
Those communities are part of Anchorage, but have their own unique zoning districts.
—Alex Demarban, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Aug. 2023
About 80 percent of San Diego’s residential land is zoned for single-family homes, though with ADUs and other new policies that zoning essentially no longer exists.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Aug. 2023
As more potential owners push their way past zoning regulations and find potential real estate options, the market in D-FW continues to heat up with more arcades opening.
—Irving Mejia-Hilario, Dallas News, 9 Aug. 2023
Another property zoned for residential use covering 1.28 acres sold for $537,500, the report stated.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2023
Adjective
The 3,100-square-foot home – a midcentury modern design with four bedrooms and four bathrooms – will be built using insulated concrete form walls by Fox Blocks and include multi-zone Lennox high-efficiency air conditioning, a tankless hot water heater and a natural gas fireplace.
—Dallas News, 17 Jan. 2021
Energy-efficient insulation and multi-zone heating and cooling systems (in the two-level home styles) help to offset the rising energy costs.
—Karen A. Avitabile, Hartford Courant, 28 Jan. 2023
These midweight socks provide enough insulation for most winter climates, but have multi-zone mesh panels to maximize breathability and minimize sweat and chafing.
—Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 27 Dec. 2022
Here was another mid-zone run, this time against the Lions in Week 7: The O-line did a great job of displacing both defensive tackles.
—Dallas News, 8 Nov. 2022
The optional Platinum Premium package adds a head-up display, heated rear seats, and tri-zone automatic climate control.
—Mark Takahashi, Car and Driver, 9 Dec. 2022
Thanks to a special ultra-zone technology that ensures consistent heat across the barrel, the blow-drying tool instantly delivers a silky-smooth finish with va-va-voom volume at the root.
—Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 28 Oct. 2022
There are also smart ductless air conditioners on the market, plus the majority of units come in a range of capacity options, along with single- and multi-zone models.
—Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 6 June 2022
And, there’s tri-zone climate controls, so passengers can control their own climate and cupholders for the second-row passengers.
—Christian De Looper, BGR, 7 May 2022
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'zone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin zōna "belt, girdle, imaginary band encircling the earth," borrowed from Greek zṓnē, going back to Indo-European *i̯eh3s-neh2, whence also, with stem variation, Russian Church Slavic pojasnĭ "belt," Sanskrit rā́snā "girdle" (*yā́snā crossed with raśanā́ "rope, bridle, girth"); derivative from a verbal base *i̯eh3s- "encircle, girdle," whence, with various stem formatives, Old Church Slavic pojašǫ, pojasati "to gird," Lithuanian júosiu, júosti, Albanian ngjesh- "gird, encircle, compress," Greek zṓnnȳmi, aorist ézōsa "(I) gird(ed)"; from a verbal adjective in *-t- Lithuanian júosta "band, zone," Greek zōstós "belted, girded," Avestan yāsta-
Verb
derivative of zone entry 1
Adjective
from attributive use of zone entry 1
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
1795, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of zone was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing zone
Dictionary Entries Near zone
Cite this Entry
“Zone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zone. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
zone
1 of 2 noun1
: any of five great divisions of the earth's surface with respect to latitude and temperature
2
: a region or area set off from surrounding or neighboring parts
3
: one of the sections of an area or territory created for a particular purpose
4
: an area on a playing field
zone
2 of 2 verb
zoned; zoning
: to divide into zones
especially
: to divide (as a city) into sections for different purposes (as manufacturing)
Medical Definition
zone
noun1
: an encircling anatomical structure
2
: a region or area set off as distinct
Legal Definition
zone
1 of 2 noun
: a specifically designated section of a larger area or territory: as
a
: a section of a municipality controlled by specific restrictions on permitted use (as for residences or agriculture)
b
: a distance within which the same fare is charged by a common carrier
c
: a stretch of roadway or a space within which certain traffic regulations are in force
zone
2 of 2 transitive verb
zoned; zoning
1
a
: to partition (as a city or town) by ordinance into sections reserved for different purposes (as residence or business)
b
: to designate the permitted use of (property) by placement in a municipal zone
land zoned for agricultural use
2
: to restrict different kinds of (use) to different areas
the power to zone land use within its borders
More from Merriam-Webster on zone
Nglish: Translation of zone for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of zone for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about zone
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