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 WebStar-Telegram Staff, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2024
Plumes of smoke always seem to be rising from somewhere in the distance, and apart from a few congregation zones—a makeshift campsite where kids play with abandon, a crowded block where desperate Brooklynites line up for water rations—the landscapes are eerily emptied out.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2024
The exterior is home to an aperitif lounge and a spacious sundeck with an alfresco dining area, an observation zone, and a Jacuzzi flanked by sunbeds.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2024
He was fined once for powerboat speeding in a manatee zone, and once for pirating cable television signals.
—Robert D. McFadden, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Bishop has man coverage potential on tight ends and is a bona fide striker when crashing down from his zone perch.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
In addition to eastern Jefferson County, Shelby, Spencer, and parts of Bullitt, Hardin and Oldham counties were included in the National Weather Service's severe risk zone, the second-highest of five categories.
—Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 10 Apr. 2024
Most Au-Ag mineralized zones intersected in the drilling programs are proximal to the historic, extensive underground mine workings or the historic, shallow open pit walls.
—Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
There will be an artist alley, food trucks, green vendors and a kids zone.
—The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2024
These children qualify by income and must be zoned for the nine available elementary campuses such as Eastern Hills, Morningside and T.A. Sims.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2024
To encourage its use, the rule requires no zoning variances, hearings or notifications to neighboring homeowners, just an administrative OK from the county zoning division.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
The Plan Commission on Monday recommended approving a zoning change for a four-story, 60,000-square-foot building at 324 N. 15th St., south of West St. Paul Avenue.
—Journal Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2024
In Santa Cruz, one of the cities in the state that is most squeezed for housing, voters will decide on Measure M, which would require a vote for any development that exceeds current zoning restrictions.
—Faith E. Pinho, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024
The commission makes a recommendation to the council, but the council will have final say as to whether a zoning change to allow the development is granted.
—Corina Vanek, The Arizona Republic, 29 Feb. 2024
Here’s where the project stands and what’s ahead Developers got permission from the city to demolish the church, among other zoning allowances, in May 2022.
—The Enquirer, 21 Mar. 2024
The overlay requires a public hearing and approval by a zoning administrator for any dwelling with five or more habitable rooms per unit.
—Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024
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
Noun
The special tax zone, exclusive to the property, would exact a property tax on future homeowners and businesses to fund the creation and maintenance of roads, sewers, and water utilities across the community.
—Star-Telegram Staff, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2024
Plumes of smoke always seem to be rising from somewhere in the distance, and apart from a few congregation zones—a makeshift campsite where kids play with abandon, a crowded block where desperate Brooklynites line up for water rations—the landscapes are eerily emptied out.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2024
The exterior is home to an aperitif lounge and a spacious sundeck with an alfresco dining area, an observation zone, and a Jacuzzi flanked by sunbeds.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2024
He was fined once for powerboat speeding in a manatee zone, and once for pirating cable television signals.
—Robert D. McFadden, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Bishop has man coverage potential on tight ends and is a bona fide striker when crashing down from his zone perch.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
In addition to eastern Jefferson County, Shelby, Spencer, and parts of Bullitt, Hardin and Oldham counties were included in the National Weather Service's severe risk zone, the second-highest of five categories.
—Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 10 Apr. 2024
Most Au-Ag mineralized zones intersected in the drilling programs are proximal to the historic, extensive underground mine workings or the historic, shallow open pit walls.
—Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
There will be an artist alley, food trucks, green vendors and a kids zone.
—The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
Verb
The city council’s zoning committee will discuss the project during a Tuesday, April 2, work session.
—Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2024
These children qualify by income and must be zoned for the nine available elementary campuses such as Eastern Hills, Morningside and T.A. Sims.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2024
To encourage its use, the rule requires no zoning variances, hearings or notifications to neighboring homeowners, just an administrative OK from the county zoning division.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
The Plan Commission on Monday recommended approving a zoning change for a four-story, 60,000-square-foot building at 324 N. 15th St., south of West St. Paul Avenue.
—Journal Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2024
In Santa Cruz, one of the cities in the state that is most squeezed for housing, voters will decide on Measure M, which would require a vote for any development that exceeds current zoning restrictions.
—Faith E. Pinho, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024
The commission makes a recommendation to the council, but the council will have final say as to whether a zoning change to allow the development is granted.
—Corina Vanek, The Arizona Republic, 29 Feb. 2024
Here’s where the project stands and what’s ahead Developers got permission from the city to demolish the church, among other zoning allowances, in May 2022.
—The Enquirer, 21 Mar. 2024
The overlay requires a public hearing and approval by a zoning administrator for any dwelling with five or more habitable rooms per unit.
—Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024
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
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.
Dictionary Entries Near zone
Cite this Entry
“Zone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zone. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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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