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

Some can’t necessarily operate in areas with regular commercial zoning, Mitera said. — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

Waterford’s zoning board rejected that plan, with some commissioners calculating it could have opened the door to as many as 1,500 apartments. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026

In the 1970s, New York City enacted a zoning regulation targeted at protecting the fast-eroding industrial base. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026

In 2025, the data center plans were discussed publicly in Westlake during a January town council meeting and during planning and zoning meetings which were live-streamed and have archived video, according to Westlake’s statement. — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Aug. 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