zone

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   An area that is different from the areas around it because of a particular feature, use, or purpose.

   Grammar: Countable: a zone, two zones. Often used with a noun before it to show the purpose (e.g., war zone, time zone).

   Patterns

   • in a zone
   • a zone of something
   • a zone for something

   This area is a no-parking zone.

   The city created a pedestrian zone in the center.

   The earthquake destroyed a large zone along the coast.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To divide an area into parts for a particular purpose, especially in town planning.

   Grammar: Takes an object: zone an area. Often used in the passive: the land was zoned for housing.

   Patterns

   • zone something for something
   • zone an area as something

   The council zoned the land for residential use.

   This district is zoned for commercial buildings only.

   They zoned the old factory area as a park.

Word forms

Common combinations

time zone

New York is in the Eastern Time Zone.

war zone

Journalists risk their lives in war zones.

comfort zone

Learning a language means stepping outside your comfort zone.

zone out

I zoned out during the long lecture.

Synonyms and how they differ

area

A general word for a part of a place; zone often suggests a special purpose or rule.

region

A larger area, often with natural or political borders; zone is more about function.

district

An official part of a city or country; zone can be temporary or unofficial.

Word family

zoning noun

The process of dividing land into zones for different uses.

zoned adjective

Divided into zones, or (informal) not paying attention.

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “zone”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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