zone defense

noun

: a system of defense (as in basketball or football) in which each player guards an assigned area rather than a specified opponent

Examples of zone defense in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Turning to a zone defense in the second half of Game 1 suffocated Phoenix’s offense, denying Alyssa Thomas the middle of the floor and turning the tide of the game. Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025 Kuhr instead called for Cover 3, a zone defense that presents similarly to Cover 1, a man-to-man call and Pats' most common coverage so far that night. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 11 Oct. 2025 Lagway’s calf injury has limited him at a time when the 19-year-old needs to improve his shortcomings, such as reading zone defenses and develop timing with his receivers. Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025 So, hello zone defense, my old friend? Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for zone defense

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of zone defense was in 1927

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Zone defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zone%20defense. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on zone defense

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!