WordGarden.iozonal
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /zˈəʊnəl/
US
Meanings
Adjective
relating to zones or divided into zones
in meteorology or geography, extending along lines of latitude or forming east-west bands
Beyond the definition
Imagine the world is not just one big mix. It is broken up into different zones, and each zone has its own features. That is where "zonal" comes in. It describes something connected to those separate areas, whether we are talking about climate zones, time zones, school zones, or the way a city is divided for planning. A zonal fare on public transport means the price depends on how many zones you travel through.
Think of a map with different colored sections. Each section is a zone, and something linked to those sections can be described as zonal. The idea is simple: it is about things being organized, measured, or understood by area. You might hear it in geography, city planning, transport, or weather reports.
The word "zonal" refers to something related to zones, which are defined areas with their own features. We often think first of geographical zones, such as tropical, temperate, or polar climate zones, but the idea is used in many other settings too.
"Zonal" can describe anything that is divided into clear areas or that works according to those areas. In urban planning, zonal rules may control what kinds of buildings are allowed in different parts of a city, such as residential, commercial, or industrial areas. In transportation, a zonal fare system charges different prices based on the number of zones you travel through. In schools or local services, zonal boundaries may decide which people belong to which area.
The term also appears in science. In geography and weather, it can describe patterns that stretch across broad bands of the earth. For example, zonal climate patterns or zonal winds are organized mainly by latitude and often run west to east. In biology or medicine, it may describe changes that happen in one part of a structure but not another, especially when that structure is naturally divided into zones.
Essentially, if something is "zonal," it is being described by zones rather than treated as one uniform whole. The word highlights separation by area, with each part having its own role, rule, pattern, or character. So when you hear "zonal," think of a larger whole being split into meaningful sections.
Examples
- 1
Transport fares
The city uses a zonal fare system, so the price depends on how many zones you cross.
- 2
Sports defense
The coach switched to zonal marking for corners instead of having each defender follow one player.
- Domainzonal marking
each defender covers an area, not one person
- 3
Weather pattern
Forecasters said the wind pattern would stay mostly zonal this week, moving from west to east.
- Domain
in weather reports, zonal often means moving west to east
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- zonaladjective