zone, n.

zone
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zone_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
First published 1921; not fully revised

# zonenoun

## Earlier version

- zone, n. in OED Second Edition (1989)

## In other dictionaries

- zōne, n. in Middle English Dictionary

## Factsheet

### What does the noun zone mean?

There are 19 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun zone. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

zone has developed meanings and uses in subjects including

astrology (Middle English) geography (Middle English) astronomy (mid 1500s) costume (early 1600s) economics and commerce (late 1600s) geometry (late 1700s) animals (1810s) plants (1810s) anatomy (1810s) palaeontology (1820s) physical geography (1820s) geology (1820s) crystals (1860s) manufacturing and industry (1900s) basketball (1920s)

#### Entry status

OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.

### How common is the noun zone?

About 50occurrences per million words in modern written English

1750 | 1.9
1760 | 2.3
1770 | 6.9
1780 | 5.7
1790 | 4.8
1800 | 5.4
1810 | 6.6
1820 | 7.1
1830 | 6.1
1840 | 6.9
1850 | 9.1
1860 | 8.4
1870 | 10
1880 | 11
1890 | 14
1900 | 17
1910 | 25
1920 | 26
1930 | 29
1940 | 41
1950 | 45
1960 | 52
1970 | 55
1980 | 56
1990 | 51
2000 | 44
2010 | 44

### How is the noun zone pronounced?

#### British English

/zəʊn/
zohn

#### U.S. English

/zoʊn/
zohn

### Where does the noun zone come from?

Earliest known use

Middle English

The earliest known use of the noun zone is in the Middle English period (1150—1500).

OED's earliest evidence for zone is from before 1500, in Hist. K. Boccus & Sydracke.

zone is a borrowing from Latin.

Etymons: Latin zōna.

### Nearby entries

1. zonally, adv. 1873–
2. zonal marking, n. 1958–
3. zona pellucida, n. 1841–
4. zona radiata, n. 1881–
5. zona reticularis, n. 1874–
6. zonarious, adj. 1656–
7. zonary, adj. 1881–
8. zonate, adj. 1866–
9. zonated, adj. 1803–
10. zonation, n. 1898–
11. zone, n.a1500–
12. zone, v. 1792–
13. zone centre | zone center, n. 1934–
14. zoned, adj. 1662–
15. zone defence | zone defense, n. 1927–
16. zone electrophoresis, n. 1952–
17. zone fossil, n. 1904–
18. zoneless, adj. 1748–
19. zonelet, n. 1855–
20. zone level, v. 1974–
21. zone leveller, n. 1956–

## Etymology

### Summary

A borrowing from Latin.
Etymon: Latin zōna.
< Latin zōna, < Greek ζώνη girdle (ζωννύναι to gird). Compare French zone (from 12th cent.), Italian zona, Spanish zona, Portuguese zona.

## Meaning & use

1. 1.
   Geography, etc.
   1. 1.a.
      a1500–
      Each of the five ‘belts’ or encircling regions, distinguished by differences of climate, into which the surface of the earth (and, in ancient cosmography, the celestial sphere) is divided by the tropics (of Cancer and Capricorn) and the polar (arctic and antarctic) circles; viz. the torrid (†burning, †burnt, †hot) zone between the tropics, the (north and south) temperate zones extending from the tropics to the polar circles, and the frigid (†frozen, †cold) zones (arctic and antarctic) within the polar circles.
      The arctic and antarctic zones are strictly not ‘belts’ but circular ‘caps’ with the poles in the centre.
      1. a1500

         > For thre zones [Laud MS. thre wonynges] shal he fynde Where no man may lyue in one kynde One is hote and colde are two.

         Hist. K. Boccus & Sydracke (?1510) sig. U iv
      2. 1555

         > The could zone or clime, was condemned to perpetuall snowe.

         R. Eden, Of North Regions in translation of Peter Martyr of Angleria, Decades of Newe Worlde f. 267v
      3. 1556

         > The olde Cosmographers..called all that space betweene the twoo Tropykes, the Burnynge Zone... And of eche syde of it, they noted twoo Zones,..whiche they called the Frosen zones,..and betweene those Frosen zones, & the Burning zone, they appointed two Temperat zones.

         R. Recorde, Castle of Knowledge 64
      4. 1594

         > The hotte Zone is that which lyeth betwixt the two Tropiques.

         T. Blundeville, Exercises iv. f. 206
      5. 1604

         > Till our ground Sindging his pate against the burning Zone Make Ossa like a wart.

         W. Shakespeare, Hamlet v. i. 279
      6. 1621

         > The parts next the torrid zone are the hotter, & the parts next the frigid zones are the colder.

         P. Heylyn, Microcosmus 4
      7. 1693

         > The Sun with Rays, directly darting down, Fires all beneath, and fries the middle Zone.

         J. Dryden, translation of Ovid, Metamorphoses i, in Examen Poeticum 4
      8. 1774

         > The feathered inhabitants of the temperate zone are but little remarkable for the beauty of their plumage.

         O. Goldsmith, History of Earth vol. V. 38
      9. 1869

         > Africa belongs almost entirely to the torrid zone.

         G. Rawlinson, Manual of Ancient History 53
      astrology geography
      1. zone a1500–
         Geography, etc. Each of the five ‘belts’ or encircling regions, distinguished by differences of climate, into which the surface of the earth (and, in…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. zone a1500–
         Geography, etc. Each of the five ‘belts’ or encircling regions, distinguished by differences of climate, into which the surface of the earth (and, in…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. middle zone 1565–
         poetic. = torrid zone at torrid, adj. 1b.
      2. torrid zone 1590–
         esp. in torrid zone, the region of the earth between the tropics. (Originally in Latin form, torrida zona or zona torrida; cf. Virg. Georg. 1. 234.)
      3. tropic 1598–
         Geography. In plural with the. The region between and adjacent to these parallels; the torrid zone.
      4. torrid (burning, burnt, hot) zone 1604
         Geography, etc. Each of the five ‘belts’ or encircling regions, distinguished by differences of climate, into which the surface of the earth (and, in…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. 1.b.
      1559–
      Any region extending around the earth and comprised between definite limits, e.g. between two parallels of latitude. Also Astronomy applied to a similar region in the heavens or on the surface of a planet or the sun.
      1. 1559

         > Do you not in this Figure call euery portion betwixt two paralleles: a zone?.. Yes verely.

         W. Cuningham, Cosmographical Glasse 64
      2. 1578

         > Those fiue quarters and zones, which the Astronomers doe describe in heauen, and vppon the earth.

         T. Twyne, translation of L. Daneau, Wonderfull Woorkmanship of World 61
      3. 1692
         [see sense 3b].
      4. 1860

         > We have, extending entirely around the earth, two zones of perpetual winds.

         M. F. Maury, Physical Geography of Sea (ed. 8) iv. §205
      5. 1860

         > On the north side of this calm zone of Cancer.

         M. F. Maury, Physical Geography of Sea (ed. 8) iv. §355
      6. 1890

         > The spots are confined mostly to two zones of the sun's surface between 5° and 40° of north and south latitude.

         C. A. Young, Elements of Astronomy §190
      astrology astronomy
      1. zone 1559–
         Geography, etc. Any region extending around the earth and comprised between definite limits, e.g. between two parallels of latitude. Also Astronomy…
      2. belt 1867–
         Astronomy. A zone or region of the solar system, or of any planetary system, in which objects of a particular kind orbit at relatively high…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. zone 1559–
         Geography, etc. Any region extending around the earth and comprised between definite limits, e.g. between two parallels of latitude. Also Astronomy…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. line a1387–
         A circle of the terrestrial or celestial sphere; e.g. †ecliptic line, equinoctial line, †tropic line. Now rare.
      2. climate a1393–
         In ancient and medieval geography: each of the bands or belts of the earth's surface stretching from west to east and associated with specific…
      3. clime 1553–1697
         = climate, n.¹ 1. Obsolete.
      4. region 1556–
         In ancient and medieval geography: each of the bands of the earth's surface defined by parallels of latitude. Cf. climate, n.¹ 1a. rare. Now histo…
      5. zone 1559–
         Geography, etc. Any region extending around the earth and comprised between definite limits, e.g. between two parallels of latitude. Also Astronomy…
      6. belt 1796–
         A broad strip, band, or stripe extending across a surface (esp. that of the earth) from which it differs in nature, composition, colour, etc.; a line…
      7. subzone 1851–
         A subdivision of a zone.
      8. dead zone 1907–
         An area in which a particular form of communication is not effective; (in later use) spec. one where it is not possible to receive a clear signal…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
2. 1. 2.a.
      1599–
      More or less vaguely: A region or tract of the world, esp. in relation to its climate; also figurative.
      1. 1599

         > We that acquaint our selues with euery Zoane, And passe both Tropikes, and behold the Poles.

         J. Davies, Nosce Teipsum 5
      2. a1628

         > Her nature hard to imitate, and diversly worshipped, according to Zones, complexions, or education.

         F. Greville, Life of Sidney (1651) iv. 46
      3. 1667

         > We may..in some milde Zone Dwell not unvisited of Heav'ns fair Light Secure.

         J. Milton, Paradise Lost ii. 397
      4. 1772

         > 'Midst Lapland's live-long snows, Or India's burning zone.

         Monthly Review vol. 42 190/2
      5. a1857

         > It has been theirs..to encounter the perilous fervours of that zone where never cooling cloud appears to veil insufferable radiance.

         R. A. Vaughan, Hours with Mystics (1860) vol. I. vi. vi. 201
      6. 1870

         > Some Spirit from a zone Of light, and ecstasy, and psalm.

         A. O'Shaughnessy, Seraphitus in Epic of Women i
      1. clime 1542–
         More vaguely: A tract or region of the earth; now often considered in relation to its distinctive climate. (Now chiefly poetic or in elevated prose.)
      2. climate 1578–
         A region considered with regard to its prevailing weather conditions.
      3. zone 1599–
         More or less vaguely: A region or tract of the world, esp. in relation to its climate; also figurative.
      4. homoclime 1916–
         A region or place that has a similar climate to some given region.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. 2.b.
      1822–
      A definite region or area of the earth, or of any place or space, distinguished from adjacent regions by some special quality or condition (indicated by a defining word or phrase); also figurative.
      Often in technical use; see also 4b, 5– 7.
      1. 1822

         > This occurrence of the more ancient deposits, within a zone of chalk hills.

         G. Mantell, Fossils of South Downs 298
      2. 1835

         > Greece lies in a volcanic zone, which extends from the Caspian..to the Azores.

         C. Thirlwall, History of Greece vol. I. i. 29
      3. 1837

         > The zone of easterly diurnal variations.

         D. Brewster, Treatise on Magnetism 222
      4. 1849

         > The wide-scattered city, with its zone of the glacis, is the foreground of the view.

         A. A. Paton, Highlands & Islands of Adriatic vol. II. xix. 253
      5. 1852

         > Every theatre of war is supposed to be divided into three Zones... These are called Zones of Operation, and are distinguished as the Right, Left, and Central.

         E. Yates, Elem. Strategy 9
      6. 1873

         > That all extensions should be performed before entering within the fire zone.

         Daily News 2 August 3/5
      7. 1876

         > The zone of defence signifies a belt of ground in front of the general contour of the works within effective range of the artillery on the ramparts... Zone of fire, a term synonymous with range or trajectory.

         G. E. Voyle & G. de Saint-Clair-Stevenson, Military Dictionary (ed. 3) (at cited word)
      8. 1881

         > In a shaft-furnace, the different portions (horizontal sections) are called zones, and characterized according to the reactions which take place in them, as the zone of fusion.

         Transactions of American Institute of Mining Engineers 1880–1 vol. 9 192 s.v.
      9. 1883

         > Zone, in coal-mining phraseology, this word signifies a certain series of coal seams, with their accompanying shales, &c.

         W. S. Gresley, Glossary of Terms Coal Mining
      10. 1902

          > Beyond the rain zone dead scrub and lifeless trees alone meet the eye.

          Times 24 November 5/2
      1. reign c1405–
         In extended use. poetic. The realm of one of the gods of classical mythology, esp. when viewed as representative of the qualities, attributes…
      2. girdle 1559
         transferred uses of 1. That which surrounds, as a girdle does the body; †a zone. †the girdle of the world; the ecliptic, the equator. Also of…
      3. working big 1730–1858
         a. adj. Large enough for a person to work in; b. n. a space of this size.
      4. area of operations 1820–
         (a) Military an area in which military operations are taking place; spec. one designated for a specific military operation or allocated to a…
      5. zone 1822–
         A definite region or area of the earth, or of any place or space, distinguished from adjacent regions by some special quality or condition…
      6. nether region 1830–
         A region or area which lies or is situated at the bottom or beneath the surface. Also in plural.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   3. 2.c.
      1909–
      Town Planning. A district or an area of land subject to particular restrictions concerning use and development.
      1. 1909

         > The usual method in formulating town building plans on a large scale is to divide the urban area into building zones.

         H. I. Triggs, Town Planning iv. 177
      2. 1910

         > Certain portions of the area would be reserved for the erection of better class residences... This would be similar to the ‘zone’ system which has been adopted in certain towns on the Continent.

         F. Howkins, Housing Acts 1890–1909, & Town Planning ix. 125
      3. 1939

         > A single map will show the subdivision of the area into zones, which in a typical case might be defined as follows: One family zones. Two family zones. [etc.].

         H. M. Lewis, City Planning xvi. 166
      4. 1953

         > The ‘smokeless zone’ provision of some local Acts..apply to domestic as well as industrial smoke.

         Interim Rep. Comm. Air Pollution 27 in Parliamentary Papers (Cmd. 9011) vol. VIII. 655
      5. 1964

         > Certain areas can be kept for light industry, others for heavy industry, dwellings, offices..and so on, each area being called a zone.

         J. S. Scott, Dictionary of Building 364
      manufacturing and industry
      1. white land 1677–
         Land covered with thin chalky soil; cf. white soil, n. (a). Now rare.
      2. zone 1909–
         Town Planning. A district or an area of land subject to particular restrictions concerning use and development.
      3. green belt 1921–
         Chiefly British. An officially designated belt of open countryside surrounding a town or city, designed to check its further growth by severely…
      4. conservation area 1925–
         An area deemed to be of special architectural, natural, or other interest and therefore protected (usually by legislation) from undesirable change.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   4. 2.d.
      1927–
      American Football and Basketball. A specific area of the court to be defended by a particular player; also, a mode of defensive play employing this system (cf. zone defence n.).
      1. 1927

         > In the zone defense the players playing back of the line of scrimmage..are so stationed that they can knock down or intercept any pass that comes into their territory or zone.

         G. S. Warner, Football for Coaches & Players 191
      2. 1942

         > Certain coaches believe only the ‘zone’ can be called a team defense.

         C. Bee, Zone Def. & Attack i. 1
      3. 1964

         > You cannot win consistently..utilizing the zone.

         F. Anderson & S. Albeck, Coaching Better Basketball ix. 209
      4. 1971

         > Each player is given a specific portion of the floor as ‘his territory’, and he guards, in turn, any offensive player who enters his ‘zone’.

         L. Koppett, New York Times Guide to Spectator Sports iii. 83
      5. 1979

         > The defense must be a man-to-man with no presses or zones allowed.

         Farmington (New Mexico) Daily Times 27 May 8a/7
      basketball American football
      1. zone 1927–
         American Football and Basketball. A specific area of the court to be defended by a particular player; also, a mode of defensive play employing this…
      2. zone defence 1927–
         A system of defensive play whereby each player guards an allotted portion of the field of play.
      3. press 1945–
         Basketball. Intense pressure applied by the defending team to the attacking team, typically in order to force the attacking team into losing…
      4. full-court press 1947–
         A defensive strategy in which intense pressure is applied to the opposing team over the entire length of the court (cf. press, n.¹ IV.11f); (also…
      5. box-and-one 1958–
         A defensive strategy in which four players are positioned at each corner of the free-throw lane, each playing zone defence, while the remaining…
      6. ankle-breaker 2001–
         Basketball. A dribbling technique in which a player suddenly changes direction by switching the ball rapidly from one hand to the other, causing…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. rush 1857–
         American Football and (occasionally) Rugby. An act by a defensive player of rushing the quarterback or a kicker. Cf. pass rush, n.
      2. fair catch 1861–
         a. (In Rugby Union and Australian Rules football) a catch of a ball kicked by an opposing player leading to a mark (mark, n.¹ VII.32); b. American F…
      3. punt-out 1861–
         A long kick upfield.
      4. goal-kicking 1871–
         spec. Rugby and (occasionally) American Football. The action of taking a goal kick (goal kick, n. 1a); the art of being a goalkicker.
      5. safety 1879–
         Sport. An action intended to make one's position safer. American Football. An act of carrying the ball into one's own end zone; a score of two…
      6. safety touchdown 1879–
         = safety touch, n.
      7. scrimmage 1880–
         American Football and Canadian Football. A sequence of play in which opposing players take up position on either side of an imaginary line…
      8. rushing 1882–
         American Football and Rugby. In defensive play: the action of running towards and attempting to tackle or hinder the opposing team's quarterback or…
      9. blocking 1883–
         American Football. The action of obstructing an opponent, esp. a defensive player, by interposing one's body, as a legal move. Cf. block, v.¹ I.4.
      10. forward pass 1884–
          A pass or throw in the direction of an opposing team's goal; spec. (a) American Football a pass in the direction of the opposing goal line…
      11. safety touch 1884–
          = safety, n. II.6b.
      12. touchback 1884–
          The action or fact of a team being awarded possession of the ball at a specific point on the field (now usually its own 20-yard line) resulting…
      13. passback 1887–
          American Football. A backward pass from the centre to put the ball in play; = snap-back, n. 1b.
      14. run 1890–
          Sport. American Football. = running play, n.
      15. signal 1891–
          American Football. A coded verbal instruction given by a player, typically the quarterback, to other team members which specifies the next play or…
      16. fake 1893–
          Sport (originally and chiefly U.S.). An act of faking or feinting to deceive one's opponent; a feint. Cf. fake, v.² 8.
      17. running play 1894–
          A play in which an offensive player attempts to advance the ball by running with it after a handoff or a lateral; cf. pass play, n.
      18. straight-arm 1894–
          American Football. A push or blow delivered by the ball carrier to fend off a potential tackler, using the arm held out straight from the body; the…
      19. onside kick 1895–
          A short kick-off in which the ball is sent only slightly further than the legally required distance of 10 yards.
      20. straight-arming 1895–
          American Football. The action of fending off a potential tackler using one's arm held out straight from one's body. Also figurative and in…
      21. tandem-play 1895–
          See quot.
      22. pass play 1896–
          A play in which the ball is passed between members of the same team; cf. running play, n.
      23. spiral 1896–
          American Football. A kick or pass in which the ball in flight spins round its long axis.
      24. shift 1901–
          American Football and Canadian Football. A sudden change from one offensive formation to another, achieved by one or more players changing their…
      25. end run 1902–
          a. In American football, an attempt by the ball-carrier to run round his or her own end (end, n. I.3g) and towards the goal; b. figurative an…
      26. quarterback sneak 1904–
          A play in which a quarterback carries the ball instead of handing or passing it to another player, esp. a short fast run through the offensive line.
      27. runback 1905–
          American Football. A run made to advance a ball received after a change of possession, esp. a ball caught after a kick-off or punt.
      28. roughing 1906–
          Sport. American Football, Ice Hockey, and Lacrosse. Any of various instances of violent behaviour, resulting in a penalty; foul tackling, punching…
      29. Minnesota shift 1910–
          An attacking manoeuvre used in college football, originally developed by the University of Minnesota team (see quot. 1971).
      30. quarterbacking 1910–
          American Football. The action of playing or directing as quarterback. Frequently attributive.
      31. snap-back 1910–
          American Football and Canadian Football. A backward pass from the centre which puts the ball in play to begin a scrimmage.
      32. pickoff 1912–
          American Football. An interception.
      33. block 1914–
          American Football and Canadian Football. An act of obstructing an opponent from reaching or tackling the ball carrier by interposing one's body…
      34. punt return 1914–
          An act of fielding and running a football punted by the opposite team.
      35. screen forward pass 1915–
          A short forward pass to a receiver at or behind the line of scrimmage who is shielded by a screen of blockers; now superseded by screen pass, n.
      36. lateral pass 1916–
          A side or backward pass to a teammate (cf. forward pass, n.).
      37. screen pass 1920–
          A short pass to a receiver at or behind the line of scrimmage who is shielded by a screen of blockers; cf. screen forward pass, n.
      38. bootleg 1921–
          American Football and Canadian Football. A play in which the quarterback feigns a hand-off to a teammate, then runs towards one sideline while…
      39. pass defence 1921–
          Defensive play aimed at preventing a pass being successfully completed by the offence.
      40. power play 1921–
          Sport. A concentration of players at a particular point; (American Football) a play in which the ball carrier is preceded by other players acting…
      41. sneak 1921–
          American Football. = quarterback sneak, n.
      42. snap 1922–
          American Football and Canadian Football. A backward pass from the centre which puts the ball in play to begin a scrimmage; = snap-back, n. 1b.
      43. bootlegger 1923–
          American Football and Canadian Football. A trick play in which a quarterback feigns a hand-off to a teammate so as to misdirect the opposition…
      44. defence 1923–
          Sport. The action or an act of seeking to prevent the opposition from scoring points, goals, etc., or otherwise gaining an advantage; a strategy or…
      45. reverse 1924–
          American Football. A trick play in which a running player receives a handoff from the quarterback, runs behind the line of scrimmage, and hands the…
      46. carry 1927–
          American Football. An act of running or rushing with the ball. Later also Rugby: an act of running hard with the ball into the opposition…
      47. lateral 1927–
          American Football. = lateral pass, n. Cf. lateral, v.
      48. stiff-arm 1927–
          (transitive) (occasionallyabsol.) to fend off or push with a stiff arm; hence figurative, to rebuff or reject; also as n. usually attributive) in…
      49. zone 1927–
          American Football and Basketball. A specific area of the court to be defended by a particular player; also, a mode of defensive play employing this…
      50. zone defence 1927–
          A system of defensive play whereby each player guards an allotted portion of the field of play.
      51. bomb 1928–
          Sport. American Football. A long forward pass thrown to a receiver far downfield in order to gain substantial yardage with a single play…
      52. submarine charge 1928–
          A charge in which a defensive lineman ducks below the block of an offensive lineman; cf. submarine, v. 4, submarine tackle, n.
      53. squib 1929–
          North American Sport (esp. American Football and Baseball). A hit, kick, or throw which travels only a short distance, esp. as a result of being…
      54. gang tackle 1932–
          An instance of gang tackling.
      55. pass rushing 1933–
          Defensive play aimed at preventing the opposing quarterback from passing by engaging in a pass rush. Cf. pass rush, n.
      56. safetying 1933–
          American Football. The action of playing in the position of safety. Cf. safety, n. II.11. rare.
      57. trap play 1933–
          A tactical manoeuvre in which a defensive player is allowed by the attacking team to cross the line of scrimmage and then blocked, thus creating a…
      58. end-around 1934–
          a. American Football an offensive running play in which an end (end, n. I.3g) carries the ball behind his or her own team's line and round the…
      59. trap 1935–
          American Football. = trap play, n.
      60. mousetrap 1936–
          Extended uses. American Football. A play in which a defensive lineman is allowed to cross the line of scrimmage before being blocked, thus creating…
      61. buttonhook 1938–
          American Football. A passing play in which a receiver runs straight downfield and then doubles back sharply towards the line of scrimmage to…
      62. blitzing 1940–
      63. hand-off 1940–
          American Football. An offensive manoeuvre in which a player, esp. the quarterback, hands the ball to a teammate; a play on which this occurs; a…
      64. submarine tackle 1942–
          A low tackle; a tackle aimed at the legs or knees; cf. submarine, v. 4, submarine charge, n.
      65. pitchout 1946–
          American Football. A (usually short) lateral pass behind the line of scrimmage, esp. from a quarterback to a running back.
      66. slant 1947–
          American Football. (a) An attacking play in which the ball-carrier moves into the line of scrimmage at an oblique angle. (b) In full, slant-in…
      67. strike 1947–
          In certain games. American Football. A forward pass, straight into the hands of the receiver.
      68. draw play 1948–
          A running play in which the quarterback initially drops back as if to throw a pass, so as to draw the defensive linemen forward and out of position…
      69. shovel pass 1948–
          An underarm, forward pass made with a shovelling movement of the arms; so as v. transitive and intransitive.
      70. option 1950–
          American Football. A play in which the halfback, fullback, or receiver, having received the ball from the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage…
      71. red dog 1950–
          American Football. A play in which the linebackers or defensive backs rush the quarterback; = blitz, n. c.
      72. red-dogging 1951–
          The action of rushing the quarterback.
      73. rollout 1951–
          American Football. A manoeuvre in which a quarterback moves quickly toward the sideline before attempting to pass or run the football; rollout pass…
      74. submarine 1952–
          U.S. colloquial. American Football. A submarine charge or tackle (see compounds C.2c); (also) a player attempting this. rare.
      75. turnover 1953–
          Sport (originally U.S.). A loss of possession of the ball to the opposing team.
      76. clothesline 1954–
          Chiefly U.S. Sport. A blow across the neck (or sometimes head) with an outstretched arm; a move in which a person is knocked down with such a blow…
      77. sleeper pass 1954–
          A pass unexpectedly involving a player hitherto ignored.
      78. draw 1956–
          American Football and Canadian Football. A running play in which the quarterback initially drops back as if to throw a pass, then hands the ball off…
      79. sprint-out 1958–
          A play in which the quarterback sprints towards the sideline before attempting to pass or run the ball; cf. rollout, n. B.2.
      80. gadget play 1959–
          An unusual and often elaborate offensive play, in which misdirection and unorthodox tactics are used to deceive the opposing team; a trick play.
      81. swing pass 1960–
          A short pass to a back running to the outside.
      82. pass rush 1962–
          An attempt by the defensive team to prevent the opposing quarterback from passing by harrying or tackling; play featuring such attempts.
      83. blitz 1963–
          American Football. A charge by one or more defensive backs into the offensive backfield, esp. to prevent or disrupt a passing play.
      84. spearing 1964–
          North American. American Football. The illegal action of ramming or butting a member of an opposing team with the helmet.
      85. onsides kick 1965–
          = onside kick n. at onside, adj.¹
      86. takeaway 1967–
          American Football and Ice Hockey. An instance of regaining possession of the ball or puck from the opposing team during play.
      87. quarterback sack 1968–
          = sack, n.¹ I.1j.
      88. smash-mouth 1968–
          American Football. A forcefully aggressive or confrontational style of play, spec. a style of attack that relies on running the ball rather than on…
      89. veer 1968–
          American Football. An offensive play which makes use of a modified T-formation with a split backfield, allowing the quarterback the ‘triple…
      90. bump-and-run 1970–
          American Football. A defensive technique in which a defender attempts to hit a receiver near the line of scrimmage, then runs with the receiver to…
      91. scramble 1971–
          American Football. An impromptu movement by a quarterback to evade tacklers. Cf. sense 1d of the verb.
      92. sack 1972–
          In American football, an act or occasion of tackling a quarter-back behind the scrimmage line before he or she can make a pass.
      93. nose tackle 1975–
          = middle guard, n. (b); cf. nose guard, n. (b).
      94. nickel 1979–
          American Football. = nickel defence, n.
      95. touch pass 1980–
          a. American Football a pass that is not thrown at full speed or strength; b. Basketball a pass made by using one’s hands to redirect a ball in…
      96. pressure 1981–
          American Football. Esp. as a statistical measure: an instance of a defensive player forcing the quarterback to make a play when not ready to do so.
      97. pick 1984–
          American Football. An interception. Cf. to pick off 4 at pick, v.¹ phrasal verbs 4.
      98. West Coast offence 1993–
          A style of offensive strategy relying on short, horizontal passes to open up gaps in the opposing defence.
      99. pick-six 2001–
          An interception that leads to a touchdown scored by the intercepting team on the same play.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   5. 2.e.
      1945–
      Any one of those areas of Germany and Austria occupied by British, American, French, or Russian forces after the war of 1939–45 until 1955. Subsequently occasionally applied to East German territory; also transferred.
      1. 1945

         > The conference of Mr. Churchill, President Roosevelt, and Marshal Stalin, held at Yalta, in the Crimea, has drawn up military plans for the final defeat of Germany... The forces of the three Powers will each occupy a separate zone of Germany, and a central control commission will have headquarters in Berlin. France will be invited to take a zone of occupation.

         Times 13 February 4/1
      2. 1947

         > German machinery..will be delivered to Hungary in the next three months under a trade agreement signed between Hungary and the Soviet zone of Germany.

         Daily Telegraph 25 September 5/8
      3. 1954

         > Frenchmen..had been spending their leaves..among the combat-troop rest-billets not only throughout the entire French Army zone, but the American and the British ones too.

         W. Faulkner, Fable 128
      4. 1956

         > Some political leaders expressed the view that German interests would be furthered by direct negotiations with the Soviet Union, and that it would ease conditions for the people of the Soviet Zone if there was limited collaboration with the East German authorities.

         Annual Register 1955 iii. v. 223
      5. 1963

         > The GDR... The Zone if you prefer.

         ‘J. le Carré’, Spy who came in from Cold xiii. 127
      6. 1964

         > Not too near the Sektor boundary and within a mile of the Soviet Zone... Sometimes we prefer to put our cargo on ice in the zone... Anywhere from Lübeck to Leipzig.

         L. Deighton, Funeral in Berlin vii. 50
      7. 1976

         > This movement aimed at the restoration of German unity... It was founded on the basis of proposals put forward by the communist leadership in the Soviet Zone.

         W. D. Graf, German Left since 1945 iii. 77
      1. zone 1945–
         Any one of those areas of Germany and Austria occupied by British, American, French, or Russian forces after the war of 1939–45 until 1955…
      2. trizonia 1947–
         An area of three zones; spec. (with capital initial) West Germany as occupied by the Allies.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
3. 1. 3.a.
      1608–
      A girdle or belt, as a part of dress. (Chiefly poetic.) Hence, any encircling band.
      1. 1608

         > Germinatio. In greene; with a Zone of golde about her Wast.

         B. Jonson, Masque of Beautie 194 in Characters Two Royall Masques
      2. 1635

         > Shall these course hands untie The sacred Zone of thy Virginitie?

         F. Quarles, Emblemes v. viii. 274
      3. 1660

         > This was the first place where he untyed his zone since he fled from Athens..so great was his fear.

         T. Stanley, History of Philosophy vol. III. iii. 13
      4. 1743

         > Wit calls the Graces the chast Zone to loose.

         E. Young, Complaint: Night the Fifth 8
      5. 1803

         > Dear to me the classic zone, Which..Adorns th' accepted Bard.

         H. K. White, To my Lyre in Clifton Grove p. xiii
      6. 1810

         > It was a zone for the leg, or bracelet for the arm, of the purest massive gold.

         E. D. Clarke, Travels in Various Countries: Part 1st xvii. 398
      7. 1869

         > To the fabled zone of beauty the Christian saints opposed their zones of chastity.

         W. E. H. Lecky, History of European Morals vol. II. v. 338
      8. 1883

         > The carters with a zone of whipcord round their hats.

         T. Hardy in Longman's Magazine July 258
      costume poetic and literary
      1. girdle Old English–
         A belt worn round the waist to secure or confine the garments; also employed as a means of carrying light articles, esp. a weapon or purse.
      2. seynt a1350–1530
         A girdle.
      3. ceinte c1386–1530
         A girdle; the woven portion of a girdle.
      4. senture a1400–60
         A girdle.
      5. love-lace c1400
         A girdle given as a love-token.
      6. girding a1425–1600
         That which girds; esp. A girdle. (Also girding-up). Obsolete.
      7. cingle c1430–
         A girdle; anything that girds or surrounds; a girth, a belt.
      8. seynture c1460
         A waist-belt.
      9. cengle a1492
         A girdle.
      10. waist 1550–1616
          A girdle. Obsolete.
      11. waist-girdle 1553–
      12. centure 1562–1624
          A belt or girdle; = cincture, n. 3a.
      13. zone 1608–
          A girdle or belt, as a part of dress. (Chiefly poetic.) Hence, any encircling band.
      14. cummerbund 1616–
          A sash or girdle worn round the waist; a waist-belt.
      15. cincture 1667–
          concrete. That which encircles or encompasses. spec. A girdle or belt for the waist. (Mostly poetic, or in reference to ancient times.)
      16. waist-belt 1672–
      17. centurine 1696
          A type of small waistband or girdle. Cf. centure, n.
      18. zona 1800–
          Archaeology. A girdle: = zone, n. 3.
      19. faja 1841–
          A sash, girdle.
      20. ceinture 1856–
          = cincture, n.
      21. crios 1899–
          A multicoloured handwoven woollen girdle or belt, originally made in the Aran Islands and typically worn there by men. Also as a modifier, esp. in…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. 3.b.
      1692–
      A money-belt or purse.
      1. 1692

         > How many Zones you observed in that Golden and Silken Heaven of the King's, I know not; but I know you got one Zone (a Purse) well tempered with a Hundred Golden Stars by your Astronomy.

         J. Washington, translation of J. Milton, Defence of People of England ix. 212
      2. 1818

         > The zone of the ex trooper, to use Horace's phrase, was weighty enough to purchase a cottage.

         W. Scott, Heart of Mid-Lothian vii, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Series vol. I. 186
      economics and commerce
      1. by-girdle Old English–1532
         That which begirds; a girdle or belt; also, from the use of this, a purse, money-bag.
      2. pung Old English–1400
         A purse.
      3. purse late Old English–
         A small receptacle made of leather or other flexible material and frequently having several inner compartments, used for carrying money on the…
      4. almoner c1330–
         A purse or small pouch.
      5. pouch 1355–
         spec. A small bag in which money is carried; a purse.
      6. almonry c1450–1533
         Apparently: = almoner, n.¹ Obsolete. rare.
      7. penny purse 1523–
         A purse for pence or small coins.
      8. cherry-bag 1539–1700
         A kind of purse for holding gold.
      9. money bag 1562–
         A bag for holding money. Also in plural (humorous): wealth.
      10. bung 1567–1658
          A purse.
      11. jan 1610–37
          A purse.
      12. penny pouch 1650–
          A pocket or bag for coins.
      13. cod a1680–1785
          A purse or wallet; (slang) a (large) sum of money. Obsolete.
      14. zone 1692–
          A money-belt or purse.
      15. bit 1718–1859
          slang (originally Criminals' slang). A purse. Obsolete.
      16. spung 1728–
          A purse; a fob.
      17. money purse 1759–
          a. A purse (now archaic and rare); b. figurative financial resources.
      18. pursie a1774–
          A (little) purse.
      19. spleuchan 1787–
          A tobacco pouch, frequently used as a purse.
      20. skin 1795–
          A container made of animal skin. Criminals' slang. A purse, a wallet. Now rare.
      21. sporran 1817–
          A pouch or large purse made of skin, usually with the hair left on and with ornamental tassels, etc., worn in front of the kilt by Scottish…
      22. fisc 1820–
          jocosely. A man's purse or ‘exchequer’.
      23. sovereign purse 1822–
          A small purse designed to hold sovereigns (in sovereign, n. A.II.4b) and other coins; spec. one, typically of silver, gold, or other metal, having…
      24. moneybelt 1833–
          A belt with a purse or compartment for carrying money and other small items. Cf. purse-belt, n.
      25. poke 1859–
          North American Criminals' slang. A purse, a wallet; a pocketbook.
      26. purse-belt 1901–
          = moneybelt, n.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   3. 3.c.
      1599–
      Astronomy. The girdle of Orion.
      1. 1599

         > The constellation named the Zone or gyrdle of Orion.

         T. Hill, Schoole of Skil ii. 92
      astronomy
      1. ell-wand a1522–
         Scottish. The group of stars called Orion's Belt.
      2. Golden Yard 1556–1914
         (With the) (a name for) Orion's Belt; cf. Golden Yardarm, n.
      3. golden yard 1556–1651
         (Also golden yard; cf. yard-band, n., and ell-wand.) The Belt of Orion. Obsolete.
      4. zone 1599–
         Astronomy. The girdle of Orion.
      5. King's ell a1605
         Scottish. King's ell: ‘Orion's belt’: = ell-wand, n. 3. Obsolete.
      6. king's ellwand 1818–
         a. The group of stars known as Orion's Belt (cf. ell-wand, n. 3); b. a foxglove.
      7. warrior's belt 1869–
         Astronomy. A line of three bright stars appearing in the constellation Orion, said to represent the hunter’s belt; = Orion's Belt, n.
      8. Golden Yardarm 1899–
         (With the) (a name for) Orion's Belt.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
4. 1. 4.a.
      1605–
      Something that encircles like a girdle; a circumscribing or enclosing line, band, or ring.
      1. 1605

         > Round about him he so closely cleaues With's wrything bodie; that his Enemie..Hasts to some Tree, or to some Rocke, whearon To rush and rub-off his detested zone.

         J. Sylvester, translation of G. de S. Du Bartas, Deuine Weekes & Workes i. vi. 193
      2. 1620

         > With twelue braue gates the curious eye to fill, The sacred luster as the glistring Zoane, And euery gate fram'd of a seuerall stone.

         T. Peyton, Glasse of Time i. 50
      3. 1785

         > The moon..set With modest grandeur in thy [sc. Evening's] purple zone.

         W. Cowper, Task iv. 257
      4. 1840

         > Below the entablature is a band or zone, formed of large stones and bricks placed alternately.

         Civil Engineer & Architect's Journal vol. 3 144/1
      5. 1856

         > Tentacles disposed in a zone around the mouth.

         W. Clark, translation of J. van der Hoeven, Handbook of Zoology vol. I. 93
      6. 1860

         > A tendency to form circular zones round the sun.

         J. Tyndall, Glaciers of Alps i. xxii. 154
      7. 1895

         > His [sc. the sea's] world-wide elemental moan Girdeth our lives with tragic zone.

         R. Bridges, Ode to Music iv. i
      1. sengilbond c1479
         An encircling band.
      2. collet c1530–
         An encompassing band or ring; in various technical uses, as, a ring, collar, or flange on a rod or spindle, a circular metal lining to a hole, a…
      3. verge 1573–1710
         With a and plural, etc.: a brim or rim; a circle of metal, etc. Obsolete.
      4. engirdling 1598–
         The action of preceding vb.; concrete that which engirdles.
      5. zone 1605–
         Something that encircles like a girdle; a circumscribing or enclosing line, band, or ring.
      6. girdle a1616
         transferred uses of 1. That which surrounds, as a girdle does the body; †a zone. †the girdle of the world; the ecliptic, the equator. Also of…
      7. belting 1676–
         A belt (in various senses).
      8. belt 1753–
         gen. A broad strip, band, or stripe which encircles or forms a ring around a person or thing; a similar encircling pattern or arrangement of…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. 4.b.
      1752–
      A band or stripe of colour, or of light or shade, extending around something, or (loosely) over any surface or area; often, any one of a number of concentric or alternate markings of this kind.
      1. 1752

         > The outer surface of the whole shell [of the Buccinum]..is of a pale brownish colour, elegantly variegated with a great number of yellow zones.

         J. Hill, General Natural History vol. III. 131
      2. 1805

         > Long-tailed green Parrot, with..the collar on the nape and abdominal zone yellow.

         G. Shaw, Vivarium Naturæ, or Naturalist’ s Misc. vol. XVI. pl. 657
      3. 1815

         > When Jupiter is viewed through a good telescope, we perceive a number of zones or belts, of a darker colour than the rest of his disc.

         J. Smith, Panorama of Science & Art vol. I. 556
      4. 1816

         > All such white marbles as are marked with green-coloured zones, caused by talc or chlorite.

         R. Jameson, System of Mineralogy (ed. 2) vol. II. 146
      5. 1833

         > If we press upon the eye-ball with a key or the end of a pencil-case, zones of light are excited.

         C. Bell, Hand 247
      6. 1891

         > The atrium glowed in zones of light.

         F. W. Farrar, Darkness & Dawn vol. I. vi. 43
      1. zone 1752–
         A band or stripe of colour, or of light or shade, extending around something, or (loosely) over any surface or area; often, any one of a number of…
      2. hoop 1961–
         A band in contrasting colour on a jockey's blouse, sleeves, or cap.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. ring Old English–
         An object having the form of a circle or disc; a circular fold, coil, or bend; a piece or part (of something) forming a circle.
      2. circle c1305–
         A perfectly round plane figure. In Geometry defined as a plane figure bounded by a single curved line, called the circumference, which is everywhere…
      3. cerceaus 1340–
         A French word from the source (Somme le Roi) translated in Ayenbite misleadingly printed as part of the English text by R. Morris in his edition…
      4. hoop 1530–
         Any hoop-like or circular structure, conformation, or figure; a circle, ring, arc.
      5. hoop-ring 1545–
         A ring consisting of a plain band; (also) a finger-ring encircled with stones in a cut-down setting.
      6. annulus 1563–
         A ring or ring-like structure, body, etc.
      7. ringlet a1616–
         A circular appearance, marking, formation, part, or piece; spec. †a fairy ring.
      8. annule 1681–
         A ring or ring-like structure, body, etc.; an annulus (in various senses).
      9. zone 1752–
         A band or stripe of colour, or of light or shade, extending around something, or (loosely) over any surface or area; often, any one of a number of…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
5. 5.
   1795–
   Astronomy. A region or belt of the sky comprised between definite limits, e.g. between two parallels of declination.
   1. 1795

      > My examinations of the heavens in zones.

      W. Herschel in Philosophical Transactions (Royal Society) vol. 85 381
   2. 1829

      > That broad zone called the milky-way.

      Chapters Physical Science 413
   3. 1890

      > The general plan of nebular distribution is into vast assemblages, one on either side of the galactic zone.

      A. M. Clerke, System of Stars xxiv. 377
   astronomy
   1. coast c1400–1631
      A region (of the air or of the heavens). Obsolete.
   2. zone 1795–
      Astronomy. A region or belt of the sky comprised between definite limits, e.g. between two parallels of declination.
   3. star stream 1844–
      †a. A narrow band of the sky or space that is rich in stars (obsolete); b. Astronomy a large group of stars having similar proper motions; esp.…
   4. lane 1899–
      Astronomy. A narrow band or strip in the sky that differs markedly from its immediate surroundings (e.g. in containing no observable stars or in…
   View in Historical Thesaurus
6. 6.
   1811–
   Anatomy, Zoology, and Botany. A growth or structure surrounding or encircling some part in the form of a ring or cylinder; also, a region or area extending around or over some part and distinguished by some special character or condition.
   With various defining words applied spec. to particular structures or regions. ciliary adj. zone, motor n. & adj. zone: see these words. zone of Zinn: see zonule n.
   1. 1811

      > These tubercles are..surrounded by a zone or disk, of a brownish red colour, the areola.

      C. Bell, Anatomy of Human Body (ed. 3) vol. III. 468
   2. 1849

      > Ciliary processes.—These processes..are received into corresponding folds or plaitings of the hyaloid membrane, called the secondary ciliary processes, and which taken altogether form a circle around the crystalline lens named after their discoverer the Zone of Zinn.

      A. H. Hassall, Microscopic Anatomy of Human Body vol. I. 514
   3. 1882

      > The cornea..is..intermediate in thickness between that of the white zone and the rest of the sclerotic.

      B. G. Wilder & S. H. Gage, Anatomical Technology Domestic Cat §1421
   4. 1884

      > The periblem, which is a zone of tissue lying between the plerome and dermatogen.

      F. O. Bower & D. H. Scott, translation of H. A. de Bary, Comparative Anatomy Phanerogams & Ferns 7
   5. 1913

      > Abdominal z [one] s, the three zones into which the surface of the abdomen is divided by the subcostal and intertubercular lines... Pellucid z., the zona pellucida.

      W. A. N. Dorland, Medical Dictionary (at cited word)
   animals plants anatomy
   1. tract 1681–
      Natural History, etc. A region or area of some natural structure, as a mineral formation, or the body of an animal or plant; most commonly one…
   2. zone 1811–
      Anatomy, Zoology, and Botany. A growth or structure surrounding or encircling some part in the form of a ring or cylinder; also, a region or area…
   View in Historical Thesaurus
7. 7.
   1829–
   Geology and Physical Geography. A region, or each of a series of regions, comprised between definite limits of any kind, e.g. of depth or height, and distinguished by special characters, esp. by characteristic fossils or forms of animal and plant life.
   1. 1829

      > In the north [of France], it [sc. limestone] forms a portion of the great transition zone, which stretches from Flanders into the Hartz.

      A. Ure, New System of Geology 150
   2. 1839

      > The presence of this zone of clay..is marked by the outburst of water.

      R. I. Murchison, Silurian System i. ii. 17
   3. 1851

      > This cretaceous zone of the shore of the Cantabrian sea.

      American Journal of Science vol. 61 263
   4. 1882

      > A bed, or limited number of beds, characterized by one or more distinctive fossils, is termed a zone or horizon.

      A. Geikie, Text-book of Geology vi. 635
   palaeontology physical geography geology
   1. earth Old English–1628
      A country, land, or territory. Obsolete.
   2. end Old English–1450
      A ‘quarter’, division, region (of the world, of a country or town). Obsolete (but cf. east end, n., west end, n., where this sense blends with I.3).
   3. coast c1315–1667
      A tract or region of the earth; a district, place, clime, country, ‘part of the world’. Obsolete.
   4. plage a1382–1613
      A region, district, or part of a larger area; (occasionally) a zone, a border. Obsolete.
   5. province a1382–
      A country, territory, district, or region; a region of the earth or of a continent. Also: the inhabitants of such a region; a nation, a people. Also…
   6. region a1382–
      A land; a country; any large portion of the earth's surface considered as defined or distinguished from adjacent areas in some way, as by culture…
   7. country a1387–
      Land, terrain, or a region of undefined extent, esp. considered with regard to its physical… As a count noun: a particular tract or expanse of…
   8. party a1387–1616
      A part of the world; a region, district; = part, n.¹ III.18a. Usually in plural. Obsolete.
   9. climate a1398–1864
      gen. A region of the earth. Cf. latitude, n. II.4b. Obsolete except as in sense 1c.
   10. part c1400–
       A portion of a country or territory, or of the world; a country, region, or area. Frequently in plural (often with collective rather than plural…
   11. nook c1450–1650
       Any one of the corners or ends of the earth. Obsolete.
   12. corner 1535–
       An extremity or end of the earth; a region, quarter; a direction or quarter from which the wind blows (obsolete).
   13. subregion 1559–
       A division or part of a region (in various senses of the noun); an area within a region.
   14. parcel 1582
       A part of the world, of a country, etc. Cf. part, n.¹ III.18. Obsolete. rare.
   15. quart 1590
       A region or locality; a quarter. Obsolete. rare.
   16. climature 1604–1845
       A region of the earth; = climate, n.¹ 1b. Obsolete.
   17. latitude a1640–
       Geography. A locality as marked or defined by parallels of latitude; usually in plural = regions, climes, parts of the world. Also figurative.
   18. area 1671–
       A region with vaguely defined boundaries, considered as a unit on the basis of its character, inhabitants, geography, or relative location.
   19. district 1712–
       Any tract of country, usually of vaguely defined limits, having some common characteristics; a region, locality, ‘quarter’.
   20. zone 1829–
       Geology and Physical Geography. A region, or each of a series of regions, comprised between definite limits of any kind, e.g. of depth or height…
   21. natural region 1888–
       A geographical region characterized by a distinctive combination of climate, vegetation, relief, etc.
   22. sector 1943–
       A body or figure having the shape of a sector; hence, a division or part, a unit. gen. One of the regions or districts into which a geographical…
   View in Historical Thesaurus
8. 1. 8.a.
      1795–
      Mathematics. A part of the surface of a sphere contained between two parallel planes, or of the surface of any solid of revolution contained between two planes perpendicular to the axis.
      1. 1795

         > The curve-surface of any segment or zone of a Sphere, is also equal to the curve surface of a cylinder of the same height with that portion, and of the same diameter with the Sphere.

         C. Hutton, Mathematical & Philosophical Dictionary vol. II. 477/2
      2. 1867

         > These circles..are..all in parallel planes..and cut the spherical surface into zones.

         W. Thomson & P. G. Tait, Treatise on Natural Philosophy vol. I. §781. 621
      geometry
      1. zone 1795–
         Mathematics. A part of the surface of a sphere contained between two parallel planes, or of the surface of any solid of revolution contained…
      2. sheet a1831–
         Geometry. A portion of a surface analogous to the branch of a curve.
      3. half-plane 1848–
         Either of the two parts into which a plane is divided by a straight line; cf. plane, n.³ 1a.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. 8.b.
      1868–
      Crystallography. A series of faces of a crystal extending around it and having their lines of intersection parallel.
      1. 1868

         > The planes [of a crystalline form] may thus be viewed as lying in vertical zones, a different zone for every ratio of the lateral axes.

         J. D. Dana, System of Mineralogy (ed. 5) Introduction p. xxvi
      2. 1878

         > These four vertical faces constitute what is called a zone (or girdle) of the form.

         H. P. Gurney, Crystallography 21
      3. 1895

         > The ‘law of zones’,..viz. all planes which can occur on a crystal are related to each other in zones; or, in other words, from any four planes, no three of which lie in one zone, all possible crystal planes can be derived by means of zones.

         C. S. Palmer, translation of W. Nernst, Theoretical Chemistry 67
      crystals
      1. zone 1868–
         Crystallography. A series of faces of a crystal extending around it and having their lines of intersection parallel.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
9. 9.
   1950–
   A hole in certain punched cards that is punched above the column of holes representing non-zero digits and is used in conjunction with these latter holes to represent non-numerical characters. Usually attributive.
   1. 1950

      > For alphabetical representations, two perforations in a single column are used for each letter; one of these is a zone punch (0, 11, or 12) while the other perforation is made in the position identifying one of the digits 1 to 9.

      W. W. Stifler, High-speed Computing Devices (Engin. Research Associates) 149
   2. 1959

      > Alphabetic information is recorded by using two punches in the same column: the upper punch (sometimes called the ‘zone’) is always a 12, 11, or 0.

      M. H. Wrubel, Primer of Programming for Digital Computers ii. 33
   3. 1970

      > A letter in the English alphabet is coded with one zone punch (12, 11, or 0) together with one under~punch.

      O. Dopping, Computers & Data Processing ii. 44
   4. 1972

      > The correspondence between the Hollerith zones and the 1401 zones.

      W. R. Price, Introd. Data Processing vii. 179
   5. 1979

      > Later, when the need for alphabetic data arose, the zone positions, rows 12 and 11, were added.

      Davis & McCormack, Information Age vi. 98
   computing
   1. summary punched 1939–
   2. prepunched 1940–
      Having holes already punched; spec. (of data, etc.): already stored or represented as a pattern of holes in a card, etc.
   3. zone 1950–
      A hole in certain punched cards that is punched above the column of holes representing non-zero digits and is used in conjunction with these latter…
   View in Historical Thesaurus
   1. overpunch 1947–
      A hole or hole position in the upper portion of a punched card, used to modify the information coded in the lower portion. Also called zone punch…
   2. zone 1950–
      A hole in certain punched cards that is punched above the column of holes representing non-zero digits and is used in conjunction with these latter…
   View in Historical Thesaurus

### Additional sense (2002)

1. 1976–
   colloquial (originally U.S. Sport). A state of perfect concentration leading to optimum mental or physical performance. Chiefly with the, esp. in in the zone.
   1. 1976

      > Tennis players speak reverently of the mystical atmospheric condition known as ‘The Zone’. Passing shots chip away at the lines, first serves pop in and mistakes simply don't materialize. Arthur Ashe's experience in The Zone during his last Wimbledon championship bordered on the surreal.

      San Francisco Chronicle 27 October 47/1
   2. 1990

      > Performers, surgeons, or creative artists..find that most important parts of their lives occur when they are ‘in the zone’.

      New Age Journal April 119/1
   3. 1995

      > Kitt is in a zone, one of those feel-I-can't-lose mind-sets that can propel an athlete to a series of successes.

      Denver Post 5 March b10/1
   4. 1997

      > I feel ideas for the ceremony are pouring out of me and this is the best writing I've done in a long time. After all these years as a writer, I can tell when I'm in the zone, and this is the zone.

      K. Loggins & J. Loggins, Unimaginable Life vii. 253
   sport U.S. English colloquial and slang

## Pronunciation

### British English

/zəʊn/
zohn

### U.S. English

/zoʊn/
zohn

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

##### Consonants

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige

##### Vowels

- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot

## Forms

### Variant forms

Also 1500s–1600s zoane.

## Frequency

zone is one of the 2,000 most common words in modern written English. It is similar in frequency to words like fundamental, loan, reasonable, regional, and smile.

It typically occurs about 50 times per million words in modern written English.

zone is in frequency band 6, which contains words occurring between 10 and 100 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of zone, n., 1750–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Decade | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
1750 | 1.9
1760 | 2.3
1770 | 6.9
1780 | 5.7
1790 | 4.8
1800 | 5.4
1810 | 6.6
1820 | 7.1
1830 | 6.1
1840 | 6.9
1850 | 9.1
1860 | 8.4
1870 | 10
1880 | 11
1890 | 14
1900 | 17
1910 | 25
1920 | 26
1930 | 29
1940 | 41
1950 | 45
1960 | 52
1970 | 55
1980 | 56
1990 | 51
2000 | 44
2010 | 44

### Frequency of zone, n., 2017–2024

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.

Period | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
2017 | 65
2018 | 59
2019 | 61
2020 | 60
2021 | 60
2022 | 63
2023 | 61
2024 | 63

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. middle zone, n. 1565–
   poetic. = torrid zone at torrid, adj. 1b.

1. virgin zone, n. a1593–1907
   A belt or girdle worn by a young unmarried woman…

1. zone-like, adj. 1598–

1. zoned, adj. 1662–
   Town Planning. Designated for a particular type…

1. zoneless, adj. 1748–
   Not marked with zones or bands of colour.

1. zone, v. 1792–
   Geology, etc. To divide into zones; to distribute…

1. zone-clock, n. 1795–

1. zone-piece, n. 1795–

1. zonic, adj. 1797–
   Belonging to a particular zone or region.

1. zone-tailed, adj. 1809–

1. polyzonal, adj. 1823–
   Divided into or comprising several zones…

1. galactic zone, n. 1851–
   = galactic belt, n.

1. subzone, n. 1851–
   A subdivision of a zone.

1. abyssal zone, n. 1852–
   The deep part of the ocean, now typically from a…

1. median zone, n. a1854
   A zone of marine life occurring at a depth of 50…

1. zonelet, n. 1855–
   A little zone.

1. coral-zone, n. 1859–
   (See quot.).

1. asteroid zone, n. 1866–
   The region of space encircling the sun between…

1. life zone, n. 1866–
   a. A zone in which life occurs, or in which the…

1. halo-zone, n. 1871–

1. neutral zone, n. 1871–
   Ice Hockey. The central area of the rink, bounded…

1. fire zone, n. 1873–
   a. An area swept by gunfire; b. an area in which…

1. pay zone, n. 1873–

1. dead zone, n. 1876–
   Ecology. An expanse of water in which the content…

1. safety zone, n. 1877–
   An area round a person, building, etc., in which…

1. zone-reticle, n. 1877–

1. surf zone, n. 1878–
   The area of water lying between the shore and the…

1. zone-axis, n. 1878–

1. zone-circle, n. 1878–

1. zone-plane, n. 1878–

1. free trade zone, n. 1879–
   a. An economic zone consisting of a group of…

1. motor zone, n. 1880–
   = motor area, n.

1. zonary, adj. 1881–
   Having the form of a zone or girdle: applied to…

1. time zone, n. 1882–
   A region within which a common standard time is…

1. beaten zone, n. 1884–
   An area of ground which is struck by gun or…

1. midzone, n. 1886–
   An intermediate zone.

1. storm-zone, n. 1889–
   = storm-belt, n.

1. economic zone, n. 1890–
   A geographical area distinguished by its economic…

1. pellucid zone, n. 1890–
   = zona pellucida, n.

1. plasma zone, n. 1890
   = plasma layer, n.

1. root zone, n. 1890–

1. zone-confounding, adj. 1890–

1. zone plate, n. 1890–
   A plate of glass marked out into concentric zones…

1. zone tariff, n. 1891–

1. edge-zone, n. 1896–
   Ecology. A region where one type of habitat…

1. war zone, n. 1896–
   A region in which a war is being fought…

1. hour-zone, n. 1898–
   Each of the lunes on the earth's surface bounded…

1. zonation, n. 1898–
   Distribution in zones or regions of definite…

1. grey zone, n. 1900–
   An intermediate area between two opposing…

1. control zone, n. 1901–
   An area within which something, now esp. air…

1. biozone, n. 1902–
   The total stratigraphical range in which fossil…

1. faunizone, n. 1902–
   A zone (cf. zone, n. 7) characterized by a…

1. zone fare, n. 1903–

1. zone system, n. 1903–

1. zone fossil, n. 1904–
   A fossil characteristic of a particular zone or…

1. abscission zone, n. 1906–
   The zone in which the abscission layer develops…

1. disaster zone, n. 1906–
   = disaster area, n.

1. danger-zone, n. 1907–

1. rift zone, n. 1908–

1. zone time, n. 1908–
   Mean solar time at the standard meridian on which…

1. twilight zone, n. 1909–
   a. spec. an urban area in which housing is…

1. fall zone, n. 1911–
   = fall line, n. 1.

1. shear-zone, n. 1911–
   (See quot.).

1. riot zone, n. 1913–
   An area, usually within a city, in which a riot…

1. green zone, n. 1915–
   On a gauge or dial: a green sector corresponding…

1. zone therapy, n. 1915–
   A technique in which different parts of the feet…

1. end zone, n. 1916–
   a. In football (see quots. 1916, 1935); b. in ice…

1. red zone, n. 1920–
   A region or area which is dangerous, at high risk…

1. shore zone, n. 1921–
   The intertidal zone, or the zone affected by wave…

1. comfort zone, n. 1923–
   A place or situation in which a person feels…

1. growing zone, n. 1923–
   The region of an annelid worm in which growth or…

1. tolerance zone, n. 1924–
   A designated area in which prostitution is…

1. skip zone, n. 1926–

1. growth zone, n. 1927–
   a. = growing-region, n.; b. = growth area, n.; c…

1. zone defence, n. 1927–
   A system of defensive play whereby each player…

1. pollen zone, n. 1929–
   A palaeoecological climate or vegetation zone as…

1. fault zone, n. 1931–

1. zone-mind, n. 1932–

1. splash zone, n. 1933–
   That area adjacent to the sea, a waterfall, etc…

1. zone centre, n. 1934–
   An exchange which acts as a main switching centre…

1. discomfort zone, n. 1935–
   An area where discomfort is felt; a place or…

1. microzone, n. 1938–

1. adaptive zone, n. 1944–
   The set of ecological niches to which a…

1. dropping zone, n. 1945–
   = dropping field, n.

1. spray zone, n. 1946–
   That area near the sea or a waterfall that is…

1. resource zone, n. 1947–

1. strike zone, n. 1948–
   An imaginary rectangle 17 inches wide, stretching…

1. zone electrophoresis, n. 1952–
   Electrophoresis in which a solid but porous…

1. zone melting, n. 1952–
   = zone refining, n.

1. zone refining, n. 1952–
   A method of refining used to produce…

1. zone levelling, n. 1953–
   A process similar to zone refining in which the…

1. landing zone, n. 1956–

1. zone-levelled, adj. 1956–

1. zone leveller, n. 1956–
   An apparatus used for zone levelling.

1. zone-refined, adj. 1956–

1. range zone, n. 1957–
   A stratigraphic zone consisting of all the strata…

1. meter zone, n. 1959–
   A delimited area where the parking of vehicles is…

1. zone refiner, n. 1959–
   An apparatus used for zone refining.

1. chronozone, n. 1960–
   A sequence of rock layers formed during a single…

1. interzone, adj. 1960–

1. zone-refine, v. 1962–
   (transitive).

1. ecozone, n. 1964–
   Palaeontology. A biostratigraphic zone with…

1. near zone, n. 1964–
   = near field, n.

1. fracture-zone, n. 1965–

1. collision zone, n. 1970–
   A linear zone where two crustal plates bearing…

1. killing zone, n. 1970–
   a. Chiefly Military (originally U.S.), a sector…

1. purple zone, n. 1970–
   = purple airway, n.

1. subduction zone, n. 1970–
   A zone at or beneath the earth's surface at the…

1. crumple zone, n. 1971–
   A part of a motor vehicle (esp. at the front or…

1. Exclusive Economic Zone, n. 1973–
   An area of coastal water and seabed within a…

1. progress zone, n. 1973–
   A population of rapidly proliferating…

1. Special Economic Zone, n. 1973–
   a. = Exclusive Economic Zone, n.; b. a…

1. zone level, v. 1974–
   (transitive).

1. exclusion zone, n. 1976–
   An area into which entry is restricted or…

1. swash-zone, n. 1976–

1. enterprise zone, n. 1978–
   An area, esp. in a city, in which financial…

1. impact zone, n. 1978–
   The area right in front of a medium-sized or…

1. eurozone, n. 1979–
   Originally: a particular area or region of…

1. kill zone, n. 1981–
   = killing zone, n.

1. zone-melt, v. 1982–
   (transitive).

1. prevent zone, n. 1984–
   A zone defence intended to prevent the completion…

1. bubble zone, n. 1988–
   An area around an abortion facility that is…

1. home zone, n. 1992–
   A residential area in which a variety of…

1. friend zone, n. 1994–
   Denoting a friendship between two people in which…

1. zone centre, n.

1. C.1.
   General attributive.
   1. C.1.a.
      attributive, chiefly in technical senses.
      1. C.1.a.i.
         (In sense 2b, esp. in reference to ‘zones’ or regions into which a district or country is divided for purposes of railway or other travelling.)
         1. zone tariff, n. 1891–
         1. zone fare, n. 1903–
         1. zone system, n. 1903–
         1. zone centre, n.
      2. C.1.a.ii.
         (In sense 5.)
         1. zone-clock, n. 1795–
         1. zone-piece, n. 1795–
         1. zone-reticle, n. 1877–
      3. C.1.a.iii.
         (In sense 8b.)
         1. zone-axis, n. 1878–
         1. zone-circle, n. 1878–
         1. zone-plane, n. 1878–
      4. C.1.a.iv.
         1. zone-mind, n. 1932–
   2. C.1.b.
      1. zone plate, n. 1890–
         A plate of glass marked out into concentric zones…
      1. zone fossil, n. 1904–
         A fossil characteristic of a particular zone or…
      1. zone time, n. 1908–
         Mean solar time at the standard meridian on which…
      1. zone therapy, n. 1915–
         A technique in which different parts of the feet…
      1. zone defence, n. 1927–
         A system of defensive play whereby each player…
      1. zone centre, n. 1934–
         An exchange which acts as a main switching centre…
      1. zone electrophoresis, n. 1952–
         Electrophoresis in which a solid but porous…
      1. zone melting, n. 1952–
         = zone refining, n.
      1. zone refining, n. 1952–
         A method of refining used to produce…
      1. zone levelling, n. 1953–
         A process similar to zone refining in which the…
      1. zone-levelled, adj. 1956–
      1. zone leveller, n. 1956–
         An apparatus used for zone levelling.
      1. zone-refined, adj. 1956–
      1. zone refiner, n. 1959–
         An apparatus used for zone refining.
      1. zone-refine, v. 1962–
         (transitive).
      1. zone level, v. 1974–
         (transitive).
      1. zone-melt, v. 1982–
         (transitive).
2. C.2.
   Objective, instrumental, parasynthetic, etc.
   1. zone-like, adj. 1598–
   1. zone-tailed, adj. 1809–
   1. zone-confounding, adj. 1890–

zone, n. was first published in 1921; not fully revised.

zone, n. was last modified in June 2025.