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

Due to lower construction costs and zoning laws, construction actually increased in smaller towns and secondary cities in less dense areas of the country — like the Sunbelt and the Midwest, according to Dietz and Fairweather. —Hannah Parker, NBC news, 11 Jan. 2026

Typically local zoning commissions have fairly wide latitude in deciding whether large residential projects go forward. —Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2026

Located in an old house on Piedmont Avenue once home to the French bistro Atmosphere (and, before that, Cafe Anis), the restaurant has a tiny parking lot and zoning regulations that require valet parking. —Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 8 Jan. 2026

The department said the proposals designed to support Iowa farmers and strengthen rural communities include a tax break for rural veterinarians and zoning protections for agritourism operations. —Donnelle Eller, Des Moines Register, 8 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