I. ˈzōn noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin zona belt, zone, from Greek zōnē; akin to Lithuanian juosti to gird
Date: 15th century
1.
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
2. archaic : girdle , belt
3.
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)
4. : a region or area set off as distinct from surrounding or adjoining parts
5. : 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
6. : zone defense
7. : a temporary state of heightened concentration experienced by a performing athlete that enables peak performance
players in the zone
II. transitive verb
( zoned ; zon·ing )
Date: 1782
1. : to surround with a zone : encircle
2. : 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
III. adjective
Date: 1795
1. : zonal 1
2. : of, relating to, or occurring in a zone defense
a zone press
a zone blitz