zonal

adjective

zon·​al ˈzō-nᵊl How to pronounce zonal (audio)
1
: of, relating to, affecting, or having the form of a zone
a zonal boundary
2
: of, relating to, or being a soil or a major soil group marked by well-developed characteristics that are determined primarily by the action of climate and organisms (such as vegetation) compare azonal, intrazonal
zonally adverb

Examples of zonal in a Sentence

We installed a zonal heating system in the house.
Recent Examples on the Web Competitive Environment The move to zonal architecture has cars looking more like a data center than a traditional automobile. Steve McDowell, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 Types of Geranium Annual geraniums come in different types: zonal, ivy, and regal. Lynn McAlpine, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Oct. 2023 Ivy geraniums take heat well but not quite as well as their zonal counterparts. Lynn McAlpine, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Oct. 2023 Heat pumps Gas furnaces Electric/zonal heating* Cooling systems ** 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 *Electric/zonal heating includes electric furnaces, baseboards and wall heaters, as well as heat stoves (wood, pellets, propane, oil, fireplaces, etc.) and electric/oil/gas boilers. Gwozniac, oregonlive, 26 Jan. 2023 Weather patterns over the Pacific since Dec. 20 found in the jet stream to be in what meteorologists call a zonal pattern, flowing straight west to east, with a region of upper-level lower pressure to the north and an area of high pressure to the south, closer to Hawaii. oregonlive, 14 Jan. 2023 Weather patterns over the Pacific since Dec. 20 found the jet stream to be in what meteorologists call a zonal pattern, flowing straight west to east, with a region of upper-level lower pressure to the north and an area of high pressure to the south, closer to Hawaii. Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2023 Jim Davis/Globe Staff The Warriors, who rely on zonal chaos and pester teams with their relentless ball-pressure, have done it their own way. Trevor Hass, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Mar. 2023 The shoe also features a knit upper, constructed to provide zonal structure and support. Outside Online, 14 July 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'zonal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of zonal was in 1867

Dictionary Entries Near zonal

Cite this Entry

“Zonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zonal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

zonal

adjective
zon·​al ˈzōn-ᵊl How to pronounce zonal (audio)
: of, relating to, or having the form of a zone
a zonal boundary

Medical Definition

zonal

adjective
zon·​al ˈzōn-ᵊl How to pronounce zonal (audio)
: of, relating to, affecting, or having the form of a zone
a zonal boundary

More from Merriam-Webster on zonal

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