n. & v.
n. 1 an area having particular features, properties, purpose, or use (danger zone; erogenous zone; smokeless zone). 2 any well-defined region of more or less beltlike form. 3 a an area between two exact or approximate concentric circles. b a part of the surface of a sphere enclosed between two parallel planes, or of a cone or cylinder etc., between such planes cutting it perpendicularly to the axis. 4 (in full time zone) a range of longitudes where a common standard time is used. 5 Geol. etc. a range between specified limits of depth, height, etc., esp. a section of strata distinguished by characteristic fossils. 6 Geog. any of five divisions of the earth bounded by circles parallel to the equator (see FRIGID, TEMPERATE, TORRID). 7 an encircling band or stripe distinguishable in colour, texture, or character from the rest of the object encircled. 8 archaic a belt or girdle worn round the body.
v.tr. 1 encircle as or with a zone. 2 arrange or distribute by zones. 3 assign as or to a particular area. zonal adj. zoning n. (in sense 3 of v.).
[ F zone or L zona girdle f. Gk zone ]