zoo

noun

\ ˈzü

plural zoos

Definition of zoo

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a facility with usually indoor and outdoor settings where living, typically wild animals are kept especially for public exhibition

— called also zooological garden, zoological park

2 : a place, situation, or group marked by crowding, confusion, or unrestrained behavior The convention was a zoo.

zoo-

combining form

Definition of zoo- (Entry 2 of 2)

— see zo-

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about zoo

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Examples of zoo in a Sentence

Noun

The sixth grade classroom was a zoo after recess. The supermarket was a real zoo on the night before the storm.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Audubon Zoo officials say on the zoo's website that Rusty died Monday. — Fox News, "Fox is 9th casualty after jaguar's weekend escape at zoo," 16 July 2018 While the donkeys adjust to their new home, zoo-goers will be able to see, but not touch, them. — Anne Dunlap, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Hee-haw: Sanford zoo braying about toddler donkeys," 24 May 2018 The San Antonio Zoo is hosting a birthday celebration for visitors looking to celebrate the hippo, who joined his grandmother Uma at the facility in September 2017, immediately wooing zoo-goers with his smile. — Kelsey Bradshaw, San Antonio Express-News, "San Antonio's Timothy the hippo is turning 3 this weekend," 13 Apr. 2018 Plan to spend at least a half-day at the zoo to get the full experience, which includes shows and animal presentations. — Laura Ratliff, Condé Nast Traveler, "14 Best Things to Do in San Diego," 27 Feb. 2018 One of the shadiest spots at the zoo is the Tropics Trail, which houses dozens of birds from around the world. — Connie Cone Sexton, azcentral, "10 best shade spots to escape the blistering Phoenix heat," 30 July 2014 The five big cats that broke out of their cages at a zoo in western Germany were recaptured following a hunt. — Mahita Gajanan, Time, "The Lions, Tigers That Escaped From a German Zoo Have Been Recaptured – but the Bear Is Dead," 1 June 2018 He had been allowed into the habitat for about an hour Monday, a day the zoo is closed. — Janet Mcconnaughey, The Seattle Times, "New Orleans zoo returns jaguar in strengthened exhibit," 5 Feb. 2019 Wandering across this massive board and its zoo of icons isn't really fun. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Smash Bros. Ultimate review: The best fighting game on any Nintendo system," 6 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'zoo.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.