zoning

noun

zon·​ing ˈzō-niŋ 

: the act or process of partitioning a city, town, or borough into zones reserved for different purposes (such as residence or business)

also : the set of ordinances by which such zones are established and regulated

voted to change the town's zoning

zoning laws

Examples of zoning in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The organization takes care of the back-end logistics, from payroll and setting tuition to lobbying state legislators and navigating local zoning laws, freeing educators to concentrate on their craft. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025

The proposal required a zoning change, which became a point of contention for the two sides. —Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Sep. 2025

Three residents spoke in opposition to zoning variances at a Chesterfield Township Zoning Board of Appeals in December 2023, the day Sheetz was discussed, according to meeting minutes. —Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 23 Sep. 2025

This area is crucial for handling complex, urban delivery environments and fluctuating demand, yet many companies still use static zoning, leading to imbalances in workload and higher costs. —Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for zoning

• boning
• cloning
• coning
• droning
• groaning
• honing
• loaning
• moaning
• owning
• phoning
• stoning
• toning

Legal Definition

zoning

noun

zon·​ing

: municipal or county regulation of land use effected through the creation and enforcement of zones under local law