zone
B1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
An area or region distinguished from adjacent parts by a particular characteristic, boundary, or purpose.
A state of focused concentration or a specific period in time; in computing, a logical segment of a network or storage.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can refer to physically bounded areas, administrative/legal districts, temporal stages, or metaphorical states of mind.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Zone' is used virtually identically. In urban planning, 'zoning' is a core concept in both, though specific regulatory names may differ.
Connotations
Equally neutral. In sports contexts, 'the zone' (state of focus) is common in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparably high frequency in both. Slightly higher in American English in legal/urban planning contexts due to zoning laws being a prominent municipal feature.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
zone + into + [area type] (The city was zoned into residential and commercial districts.)zone + [area] + as + [designation] (They zoned the land as agricultural.)zone + out (phrasal verb, to lose focus)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “be in the zone (to be intensely focused)”
- “twilight zone (a strange or surreal situation)”
- “comfort zone (a situation where one feels safe or at ease)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to sales territories, economic zones, or designated areas for specific activities.
Academic
Used in geography, urban studies, biology (life zones), and computer science.
Everyday
Commonly used for time zones, parking zones, and metaphorical states (e.g., 'I'm in the zone').
Technical
In computing: DNS zone, buffer zone in engineering, subduction zone in geology.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council plans to zone the old industrial estate for mixed-use development.
- I completely zoned out during that tedious lecture.
American English
- The city zoned the waterfront for commercial use only.
- After work, I just want to zone out in front of the TV.
adverb
British English
- N/A. 'Zone' is not standardly used as an adverb.
American English
- N/A. 'Zone' is not standardly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The zone defence was effective against their attacking style.
- Check the zone heating controls for the upstairs rooms.
American English
- The team's zone defense collapsed in the final quarter.
- We installed a zoned HVAC system to save energy.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My hotel is in a quiet zone of the city.
- Please don't park in the bus zone.
- France is in a different time zone than the UK.
- They built a buffer zone between the two rival neighbourhoods.
- The biologist studied the different plant species in the alpine zone.
- Strict regulations zone this historic district, prohibiting modern architecture.
- Negotiators are trying to establish a demilitarized zone along the border.
- When the pianist is in the zone, her performance becomes transcendental.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a ZONE as a lone, fenced-off area on its own. The word ZONE itself stands alone and distinct, just like the area it describes.
Conceptual Metaphor
MENTAL STATES ARE PLACES ('I was in a zone while working.'), REGULATION IS CONTAINMENT ('The law zones this area for industry.')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'zone' as 'зона' in overly broad contexts where 'area' or 'region' is more natural (e.g., 'mountainous region', not 'mountainous zone').
- The phrasal verb 'zone out' does not translate directly to 'выходить из зоны'; it means 'отключаться', 'витать в облаках'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'zone' as a countable noun without an article when specific (e.g., 'He entered danger zone' → 'He entered a/the danger zone').
- Confusing 'zone' (specific area with a purpose) with 'area' (more general term).
Practice
Quiz
Which use of 'zone' is metaphorical?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its primary meaning is physical, it is widely used metaphorically (e.g., 'comfort zone', 'in the zone' for focus) and in abstract contexts (e.g., 'time zone').
'Area' is the most general. 'Region' often implies a larger, often administrative or geographical area. 'Zone' typically suggests a purpose, regulation, or specific characteristic defining the boundaries (e.g., a danger zone, a time zone).
Yes. As a verb, it most commonly means to designate an area for a specific purpose (e.g., 'The land is zoned for agriculture') or, informally, 'zone out' meaning to lose focus or become inattentive.
It usually describes something divided into zones, especially for regulatory or functional purposes (e.g., 'a zoned school district', 'zoned air conditioning').