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.
The city and county opened one-stop permitting centers and waived certain zoning reviews for people who want to build homes that are roughly the same size as their prior residences. Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025 States and localities must continue to build momentum in implementing the zoning and permitting reforms that actually increase supply and drive down housing costs. Leonard Gilroy, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025 The report said barriers to affordable housing include overly restrictive zoning too focused on large-lot single-family housing, as well as high land and construction costs. Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025 These rules are set out by a system known as zoning: local regulations on what kind of things can be built where. Marina Bolotnikova, Vox, 7 July 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 18 Jul. 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!