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 Web
Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
In the first month of enforcement in the Clear Path work zone, more than 25,000 first-violation warnings were issued, the release said.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
Such services must comply with all policies and procedures, including advertising, security, and ID verification, as well as local laws and zoning regulations and liquor laws, regardless of where the consumer is receiving the product.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for zone
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Outdoors, the original Collins-era pool remains—refreshed, of course—now paired with a hot tub, a full outdoor kitchen and multiple lounge zones.
—Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
In the first month of enforcement in the Clear Path work zone, more than 25,000 first-violation warnings were issued, the release said.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
Verb
Jaber argued the Willow Grove acres, zoned with 28 acres as commercial property and 8 acres as residential, could especially increase in value if the property were rezoned as residential property.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
Such services must comply with all policies and procedures, including advertising, security, and ID verification, as well as local laws and zoning regulations and liquor laws, regardless of where the consumer is receiving the product.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for zone
Cite this Entry
“Zone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zone. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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