zones

Noun

zone (plural zones)

1. (archaic) Each of the five regions of the earth's surface into which it was divided by climatic differences, namely the torrid zone (between the tropics), two temperate zones (between the tropics and the polar circles), and two frigid zones (within the polar circles).
   • And as two Zones doe cut the Heaven upon the righter side, / And other twaine upon the left likewise the same devide, / The middle in outragious heat exceeding all the rest: / Even so likewise through great foresight to God it seemed best, / The earth encluded in the same should so devided bee […].1567, Ovid, translated by Arthur Golding, Metamorphoses, section I
2. Any given region or area of the world.
3. A given area distinguished on the basis of a particular characteristic, use, restriction, etc.
   • There is a no-smoking zone that extends 25 feet outside of each entrance.

   Synonyms:

   area, belt, district, region, section, sector, sphere, territory

4. (broadly) A restricted category or virtual place.
   • The discussion was veering off into a danger zone.
5. A band or area of growth encircling anything.
   • a zone of evergreens on a mountain
6. A band or stripe extending around a body.

See all 23 meanings of zone