dead zone

IPA/ˈded zəʊn/
IPA/ˈded zəʊn/

dead zone — noun

  • dead zonesingular
  • dead zonesplural

1. an area of sea, lake, or river water with so little oxygen that most plants and

1.nounC1
Definition

an area of sea, lake, or river water with so little oxygen that most plants and animals cannot survive there

Example

Fertilizer washed into the bay and helped create a dead zone each summer.

create a dead zone

The researchers measured oxygen levels around the dead zone in the lake.

dead zone in + water

Common collocations
  • coastal dead zone
  • oxygen-depleted dead zone
  • create a dead zone
  • dead zone expands
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

a dead zone

a dead zone in + body of water

create a dead zone

Usage Note

This environmental sense is often used for coastal water, lakes, or rivers affected by pollution or algal growth.

Common Mistakes

Do not use this sense for ordinary dirty water. A dead zone specifically lacks enough oxygen for most aquatic life.

2. a place or period when very little happens and there is almost no activity

2.nounB2
Definition

a place or period when very little happens and there is almost no activity

Example

The shopping street becomes a dead zone after most offices close.

becomes a dead zone

For the sales team, late August is usually a dead zone.

a dead zone for + group

Common collocations
  • commercial dead zone
  • seasonal dead zone
  • turn into a dead zone
  • dead zone for business
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

a dead zone

turn into a dead zone

a dead zone for + noun

Usage Note

Often mildly informal. It can describe a quiet physical place, a slow time of year, or an online space where activity has stopped.

Common Mistakes

Do not confuse this with 'deadline'. A dead zone is a quiet or inactive area or period.

3. an area with little or no mobile-phone reception

3.nounB2
Definition

an area with little or no mobile-phone reception

Example

The train entered a dead zone, and every call in the carriage dropped.

entered a dead zone

Our cabin is in a cell-phone dead zone, so messages often arrive late.

cell-phone dead zone

Common collocations
  • cell-phone dead zone
  • mobile dead zone
  • hit a dead zone
  • dead zone with no signal
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

a dead zone

a cell-phone dead zone

hit a dead zone

Usage Note

Used mainly for mobile phone reception, but it can also be used more broadly for wireless coverage.

Common Mistakes

Say 'in a dead zone' or 'hit a dead zone', not 'at dead zone'.

4. in US football, an awkward area in enemy territory where a field-goal try is sti

4.nounC2
Definition

in US football, an awkward area in enemy territory where a field-goal try is still unrealistic

Example

The offense stalled in the dead zone and chose to run one more play.

in the dead zone

A sack pushed the team back into the dead zone before fourth down.

back into the dead zone

Common collocations
  • in the dead zone
  • enter the dead zone
  • dead-zone decision
  • dead-zone field position
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

the dead zone

in the dead zone

enter the dead zone

Usage Note

This is a specialist American-football term and is much less common than the environmental or phone-signal senses.

Common Mistakes

Do not use this sense for soccer or rugby. It belongs to American football.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/3

'Dead zone' is the everyday expression for a place where a phone or network signal drops out. 'No-signal area' is plainer and more literal. 'Coverage gap' is more technical and is often used when discussing network planning or service quality.

dead zone ↗no-signal areacoverage gap

Common collocations

Nouns

Verbs

Phrases

  • coastal dead zone
  • cell-phone dead zone
  • hit a dead zone
  • in the dead zone
  • create a dead zone

Adjectives

Etymology

First known use

1971

1971, in the meaning defined at sense 1