zone defense

noun

: a system of defense (as in basketball or football) in which each player guards an assigned area rather than a specified opponent

Examples of zone defense in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Milwaukee went on a staggering 34-3 run in the quarter, using the zone defense to reduce the Wolves to a mistake-prone, slow-reacting embarrassment. Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025 Rockets coach Ime Udoka deployed a zone defense often on Sunday, especially against Nuggets lineups that were sorely lacking shooters such as a second-quarter lineup with Jordan, Westbrook, Watson and Zeke Nnaji. Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 23 Mar. 2025 The zone defense limited Orlando in the first quarter when the Rockets ended the opening frame on a 16-5 run. Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025 Anderson’s length will work well in the zone defenses Erik Spoelstra likes to use with second units. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for zone defense

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of zone defense was in 1927

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Zone defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zone%20defense. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on zone defense

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!