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

He was appointed by City Manager Peter Iglesias to the Gables’ planning and zoning board and previously served for nearly two decades on the county’s planning and zoning board. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026

Sachs has blamed outdated county zoning rules for anger over the county’s 2023 approval of the Islamic school and daycare in the county’s Agricultural Reserve without public input. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

School leaders reengaged in conversations with village officials in 2025, held a neighborhood meeting, and in January submitted formal zoning applications, which have already undergone two rounds of review by village staff. — Christopher Placek, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

The plaintiffs in that case alleged the rodeo arena violated city zoning ordinances. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 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