zoning

noun

zon·​ing ˈzō-niŋ How to pronounce zoning (audio)
: the act or process of partitioning a city, town, or borough into zones reserved for different purposes (such as residence or business)
also : the set of ordinances by which such zones are established and regulated
voted to change the town's zoning
zoning laws

Examples of zoning 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.
That includes a subdivision map dividing the property into six lots and a request to replace the current zoning with a custom zoning plan tailored to The Village. Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025 The California Legislature Friday passed a controversial measure that could bypass local zoning laws to require communities to approve more housing developments near train and bus stations in many counties across the state. Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025 In August, the planning and zoning committee amended the proposal to include conditional use permit and licensing requirements that were previously absent, said Councilman Andrew Owen, who co-sponsored the legislation and chairs the committee. Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Sep. 2025 Those would have to be approved by city planning staff through a certificate-of-zoning-compliance process, Semple said. Rose Evans september 12, Idaho Statesman, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for zoning

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of zoning was in 1912

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Zoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zoning. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

Legal Definition

zoning

noun
zon·​ing
: municipal or county regulation of land use effected through the creation and enforcement of zones under local law

More from Merriam-Webster on zoning

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!