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 Louis Street units will be between two and three levels, attorney Timothy Hollister said in Premier’s zoning application. —Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026

The city now only records and livestreams biweekly City Council and planning and zoning meetings. —Dallas Morning News, 30 Jan. 2026

The changes would take place as part of the city’s annual update of the code, which contains regulations for development and use of property, including zoning, subdivisions and other related activities. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026

Town meeting voters would be able to vote to accept or reject an MBTA Communities Law zoning plan during the town meeting on February 23. —Neal Riley, CBS News, 29 Jan. 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