zoning

1 of 2

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

zoning

2 of 2

present participle of zone entry 2

Examples of zoning in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Williams alleged that Amazon fast-tracked the data center project without standard zoning procedure, environmental review or community guardrails. — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

Dickey's Moab property has commercial accommodation zoning in a community where new short-term rentals are difficult to develop. — Mike Winters, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026

Kurv Industrial needs a zoning change to morph the mall into a four-building industrial complex. — Lauren Victory, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

The projects are exempt from all planning and zoning regulations, but must meet specific criteria. — City News Service, Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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