Canal Zone

American  

noun

1. a zone in central Panama, crossing the Isthmus of Panama on both sides of the Panama Canal: governed by the United States from 1903 until 1979, when most of the zone was returned to Panama, for its eventual control of the entire zone by 2000; about 10 miles (16 km) wide; excludes the cities of Panama and Colón. 44,650; 553 sq. mi. (1,432 sq. km). CZ (for use with zip code), C.Z.

---

Canal Zone British  

noun

1. Also called: Panama Canal Zone.  a former administrative region of the US, on the Isthmus of Panama around the Panama Canal: bordered on each side by the Republic of Panama, into which it was incorporated in 1979

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Canal Zone

China didn’t gain influence in the Canal Zone with threats.

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 10, 2026

Guibert and her family immigrated to Anaheim from the Panama Canal Zone, a territory long contested between the United States and Panama until 1999.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2025

Panama was very upset by your demand for return of the Canal Zone, but now we’ve heard from Colombia.

From Salon ● Dec. 27, 2024

So, if the courthouse was located in the Panama Canal Zone or destroyed by an earthquake, relief might be “inadequate or ineffective,” since those courts are no longer standing.

From Slate ● Jun. 26, 2023

In 1942, Barbara had transferred from Carleton to Radcliffe, but in 1944, she signed up to serve in the Panama Canal Zone.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield