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 bills, passed by legislative Democrats, broadly require cities — especially those on the Front Range — to implement various zoning changes and undertake detailed planning to ease and incentivize housing development. —John Aguilar, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026

Along with the dozens of tiny home brands in attendance will be insurance companies, lenders, zoning consultants and speakers like Tiny House Nation co-host John Weisbarth. —Amancai Biraben, Oc Register, 18 Apr. 2026

As a public university, U of M is exempt from local zoning requirements — meaning the project does not require township approval. —CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026

Six of the 13 councilors did not sign onto the zoning amendment order, indicating early resistance. —Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026

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