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• zoo
  zoo

  noun

  a parklike area in which live animals are kept in cages or large enclosures for public exhibition.
• zoo-
  zoo-

  a combining form meaning “living being,” “animal,” used in the formation of compound words.

zoo

¹ American  

[zoo] / zu /

noun

• zoos
  plural

1. Also called zoological garden.  a parklike area in which live animals are kept in cages or large enclosures for public exhibition.

2. Informal. a place, activity, or group marked by chaos or unrestrained behavior.

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zoo- ² American  

1. a combining form meaning “living being,” “animal,” used in the formation of compound words.

   zoometry; zooplankton.

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zoo- ¹ British  

combining form

1. indicating animals

   zooplankton

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zoo ² British  

/ zuː /

noun

1. Formal term: zoological garden.  a place where live animals are kept, studied, bred, and exhibited to the public

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zoo Idioms  

1. see it's a zoo.

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Usage

What does zoo- mean? The combining form zoo- is used like a prefix meaning “living being” or "animal." It is often used in scientific terms, especially in biology. The form zoo- comes from Greek zôion, meaning “animal.”What are variants of zoo-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, zoo- becomes zo-, as in zooid. When combined as a suffix, zoo- becomes -zoa or -zoon, as in protozoa or ectozoon. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles for zo-, -zoa, and -zoon.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• zoos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of zoo¹

First recorded in 1840–50; first two syllables of zoological garden taken as one syllable

Origin of zoo-²

Combining form representing Greek zôion animal

Explanation

A zoo is a large park where wild animals are on display. If you're interested in lemurs, orangutans, or even boa constrictors, you might want to plan a trip to the zoo. Most modern zoos serve two functions: to exhibit exotic animals for paying visitors and to protect endangered animal species. Responsible zoos fulfill the second goal by breeding animals, educating the public, and reintroducing animals to the wild. Any wild and crowded place can also be called a zoo: "I went to the mall the day before Christmas. It was a total zoo!" The word zoo, from a Greek root that means "animal," was originally shorthand for the Regent's Park Zoological Gardens in London, which opened in 1828.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

zoo zoo- zoos

"First, a zoo of hadrons was discovered. Now, we're facing a zoo of so-called exotic states."

From Science Daily ● Sep. 2, 2026

On 22 July, seven days into their 10-day trip, they visited the Green Canyon where they swam, before setting off for visits to a waterfall and zoo.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

After several months of treatment, zoo officials said the decision was made to amputate Crimson’s leg.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026

"Everybody knows who's who in the zoo," Nyathi explains.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

Maybe it was because she was just so huge to be near to—she seemed much bigger somehow in our woodshed than she had back in the zoo.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo

But the coddled, zoo- happy monkeys lacked some basic skills -- how, for instance, to peel a banana.

From Time Magazine Archive

Only then do biologists foresee a successful return of zoo- bred California condors, perhaps even Molloko's offspring, to their native home.

From Time Magazine Archive

The sanctuary’s mission is to conserve and protect the world’s wild cat populations and, sometimes, in partnership with zoos and other humane wildlife facilities, it breeds certain species.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026

Biddle warned this reduction was replicated at zoos across the UK.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

They are not commonly displayed at zoos as they are relatively more sensitive to infections, the Kobe zoo said in a written statement to AFP Monday.

From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026

The Huntington cultivates them on-site and has distributed many to botanic gardens and zoos across the country.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026

Lori said she thought zoos should be outlawed.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls

Related Words

• circus