zone

1. noun /zəʊn/

a) Each of the five regions of the earths 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).

To avoid which, we will take any pains [...]; we will dive to the bottom of the sea, to the bowels of the earth, five, six, seven, eight, nine hundred fathom deep, through all five zones, and both extremes of heat and cold [...].

b) Any given region or area of the world.

There is a no-smoking zone that extends 25 feet outside of each entrance.

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

2. verb /zəʊn/

a) To divide into or assign sections or areas.

Please zone off our staging area, a section for each group.

b) To define the property use classification of an area.

This area was zoned for industrial use.

Syn: doze off, zone out