zone
zohn
Zone (noun) means an area or region marked off by a particular feature, purpose, or restriction. Example: “Parking is banned in the loading zone outside the shop.”
noun
1
An area or region marked off by a particular feature, purpose, or restriction.
"Parking is banned in the loading zone outside the shop."
"The company operates in three different time zones."
"Cyclists must slow down when they enter the pedestrian zone in the town centre."
2
A state of intense focus in which someone performs at their best.
"The pianist was completely in the zone by the second movement."
"Once the music started, the dancer slipped into the zone and forgot the audience."
"I work best in the zone, with my phone switched off and silence around me."
verb
1
To designate an area for a specific use under planning law.
"The council voted to zone the riverside plot for housing."
"Under the new plan, the old car park will be zoned for shops and offices."
"Parts of the town centre are zoned as pedestrian-only areas."
2
To drift off mentally, losing focus on one's surroundings.
"Whenever the lecture turns to dates, I tend to zone out completely."
"He zoned out on the bus and missed his stop."
"I zoned out halfway through the meeting."
How to use zone
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA defined area set apart for some reason, or a state of deep concentration.
Common pairings
danger zone
in the zone
zone out
time zone
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Word forms
- Plural
- zones
- Third person singular
- zones
- Past tense
- zoned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Parking is banned in the loading _____ outside the shop.
Etymology
From Latin zōna, from Greek zṓnē ("girdle, belt") — originally describing a belt-like band, later applied to bands of climate or land.
Related words
Rhymes for zone
See all rhymes for zone →Frequently asked questions
What does “zone” mean?
The word “zone” means an area or region marked off by a particular feature, purpose, or restriction. In plain terms, a defined area set apart for some reason, or a state of deep concentration.
How do you pronounce “zone”?
“Zone” is pronounced zohn (/zoʊn/ in IPA).
How do you use “zone” in a sentence?
Here is “zone” used in a sentence: “Parking is banned in the loading zone outside the shop.”
What is another word for “zone”?
Words with a similar meaning to “zone” include doze off.
What part of speech is “zone”?
Depending on how it is used, “zone” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “zone” come from?
The word “zone” comes from Latin. From Latin zōna, from Greek zṓnē ("girdle, belt") — originally describing a belt-like band, later applied to bands of climate or land.
Is “zone” a common word?
“Zone” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “zone” have?
“Zone” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an area or region marked off by a particular feature, purpose, or restriction.
What is the difference between a zone and a region?
A region is a broad, often natural area defined by shared geography or character. A zone is more deliberately marked off for a specific feature, purpose, or rule — such as a time zone, war zone, or no-parking zone. Zones tend to have clearer boundaries and a defined function.
What is an example of a zone?
A time zone, a school zone, a war zone, a no-parking zone, and a climate zone are all examples. Each is an area set apart by a rule or purpose — a place where a certain condition applies, a restriction holds, or a particular feature is found.
What are the types of zone?
Zones are named by their purpose. Common types include time zones, climate or geographic zones, safety and hazard zones, sports zones such as the end zone, and regulatory zones — commercial, residential, or no-parking areas set by planning and traffic rules.
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