zone
/zəʊn/ (bre, ipa) · /zəʊn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈzōn/ (ame, mw) · /zoʊn/ (ame, ipa)
zone — noun
1. a part of a city, country, or other space marked off from surrounding areas beca
a part of a city, country, or other space marked off from surrounding areas because it has a particular purpose, feature, or set of rules.
The city council set up a new pedestrian <hw>zone</hw> around the old market square.
collocation: pedestrian zone
Lakshmi lives in a quiet residential <hw>zone</hw> on the north side of town.
collocation: residential zone
You cannot build a factory here because this area is a protected green <hw>zone</hw>.
After the earthquake, the government declared the whole valley a disaster <hw>zone</hw>.
Drivers must slow down when they enter a school <hw>zone</hw> between seven and nine each morning.
文法句型
zone + noun (parking zone, green zone)
adjective + zone (residential zone, disaster zone)
用法筆記
Often combined with a preceding noun that describes the zone's purpose or rule, such as 'parking zone', 'danger zone', 'smoke-free zone', or 'war zone'.
常見錯誤
2. one of the large bands around the earth that are divided by imaginary lines of l
one of the large bands around the earth that are divided by imaginary lines of latitude and that share similar temperature and weather patterns.
Most of Europe lies in the temperate climate <hw>zone</hw>, with mild summers and cool winters.
collocation: temperate climate zone / temperate zone
Ryo's research focuses on plant species that grow only in the tropical <hw>zone</hw> near the equator.
The Arctic and Antarctic are the two polar climate <hw>zones</hw>, with freezing temperatures year-round.
João traveled from the tropical <hw>zone</hw> to the temperate zone and felt the temperature drop.
文法句型
the + adjective + zone (the temperate zone)
climate zone
time zone
用法筆記
The five classical climate zones are tropical (torrid), two temperate, and two polar (frigid). This sense is most common in geography and earth science contexts.
3. a defensive tactic in certain team sports where players guard a fixed section of
a defensive tactic in certain team sports where players guard a fixed section of the court or field instead of marking an individual opponent.
The coach switched the team to a <hw>zone</hw> defense after the opponents scored ten straight points.
collocation: zone defense
In <hw>zone</hw> coverage, each defender stays inside their own area instead of chasing one player.
collocation: zone coverage
Layla excels at <hw>zone</hw> defense because she reads the movement of the ball very well.
Basketball teams often use <hw>zone</hw> defense to protect the area close to their own basket.
- area defense
less common alternative term for 'zone defense'
- man-to-man defense
the opposing defensive system where each player guards a specific opponent
文法句型
zone defense
zone coverage
play zone
in a zone
用法筆記
This sense is often used as part of the fixed phrases 'zone defense' or 'zone coverage'. It contrasts with 'man-to-man' defense, where each player marks a specific opponent.
常見錯誤
4. a clearly defined area within a larger object, surface, or body, set apart by it
a clearly defined area within a larger object, surface, or body, set apart by its own features or condition.
The dentist examined a sensitive <hw>zone</hw> on the upper right side of Christopher's gum.
Amani circled the damaged <hw>zone</hw> on the wall where water had leaked through.
collocation: damaged zone
The doctor pointed to a dark <hw>zone</hw> on the X-ray near the patient's left lung.
The machine scans each <hw>zone</hw> of the engine part separately to find hairline cracks.
文法句型
the ___ zone of + noun
adjective + zone (painful zone, damaged zone)
用法筆記
This sense is often used in medical, technical, or engineering contexts to refer to a specific spot on a larger object or body. It overlaps with 'area' but implies a more precisely defined boundary.
常見錯誤
zone — verb
1. to officially decide, by law or city planning rules, that a particular piece of
to officially decide, by law or city planning rules, that a particular piece of land can be used for a specific purpose, such as housing, business, or industry.
The local government <hw>zoned</hw> this area for residential housing only, so no factories are allowed here.
pattern: zoned + noun + for + noun (purpose)
The land near the river has been <hw>zoned</hw> as a nature reserve and cannot be developed.
passive: be zoned as + noun
Élise bought a piece of land that was already <hw>zoned</hw> for commercial use near the highway.
Developers cannot build apartments because the city has not yet <hw>zoned</hw> that district for housing.
The council voted to <hw>zone</hw> the old industrial site for mixed-use development, including shops and apartments.
文法句型
zone + noun + for/as + noun (zone land for housing)
be zoned for + noun (be zoned for commercial use)
用法筆記
Almost always used in formal, legal, or urban-planning contexts. The passive form is very common (e.g. 'The land is zoned for agricultural use'). Only this sense of the verb is in current general use.
常見錯誤
zone — adjective
1. relating to or used in a defensive system in sports where each player protects a
relating to or used in a defensive system in sports where each player protects a particular area rather than following a specific opponent.
The team practiced their <hw>zone</hw> coverage patterns every morning before the big game against their rivals.
collocation: zone coverage
Tara prefers a <hw>zone</hw> approach to guarding the net rather than chasing one attacker.
<hw>Zone</hw> tactics work well against teams that rely on fast passes between players.
The coach explained the basic <hw>zone</hw> rules to the new players during their first practice.
- area
only in compound sports terms like 'area defense'; less precise than 'zone'
- man-to-man
the contrasting defensive approach in sports
文法句型
zone + noun (zone defense, zone coverage, zone blocking)
用法筆記
This adjective is almost always used before nouns like 'defense', 'coverage', 'blocking', or 'tactics'. It is a sports-specific term and rarely appears in everyday conversation outside of sports contexts.