¹zone

noun \ˈzōn\

: an area that is different from other areas in a particular way

: one of the sections in a city or town that is used for a particular purpose

Full Definition of ZONE

a : any of five great divisions of the earth's surface with respect to latitude and temperature — compare frigid zone, temperate zone, torrid zone

b : a portion of the surface of a sphere included between two parallel planes

archaic : girdle, belt

a : an encircling anatomical structure

b (1) : a subdivision of a biogeographic region that supports a similar fauna and flora throughout its extent (2) : such a zone dominated by a particular life form

c : a distinctive belt, layer, or series of layers of earth materials (as rock)

: a region or area set off as distinct from surrounding or adjoining parts

: one of the sections of an area or territory created for a particular purpose: as

a : a zoned section of a city

b (1) : any of the eight concentric bands of territory centered on a given postal shipment point designated as a distance bracket for United States parcel post to which mail is charged at a single rate (2) : a distance within which the same fare is charged by a common carrier

c : an area on a field of play

d : a stretch of roadway or a space in which certain traffic regulations are in force

: zone defense

: a temporary state of heightened concentration experienced by a performing athlete that enables peak performance <players in the zone>

See zone defined for English-language learners

See zone defined for kids

Origin of ZONE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin zona belt, zone, from Greek zōnē; akin to Lithuanian juosti to gird

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to ZONE

Synonyms: belt, corridor, land, neck, part(s), tract, region

Rhymes with ZONE

blown, bone, clone, cone, crone, drone, flown, groan, grown, hone, known, loan, lone, moan, Mon, none, own, phone, pone, prone, Rhône, roan, Saône, scone, sone, stone, throne, tone

²zone

verb

: to officially say that (a section in a city, town, etc.) can be used for a particular purpose (such as business or housing)

zonedzon·ing

Full Definition of ZONE

transitive verb

: to surround with a zone : encircle

: to arrange in or mark off into zones; specifically : to partition (a city, borough, or township) by ordinance into sections reserved for different purposes (as residence or business)

— zon·er noun

See zone defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of ZONE

1782

³zone

adjective

Definition of ZONE

: zonal 1

: of, relating to, or occurring in a zone defense <a zone press> <a zone blitz>

First Known Use of ZONE

1795

ZONES Defined for Kids

¹zone

noun \ˈzōn\

Definition of ZONE for Kids

: a region or area set off or characterized as different from surrounding or neighboring parts <The United States is located in one of earth's temperate zones.>

: one of the sections of an area created for or serving a particular use or purpose <a town's business zone>