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.

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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

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Example Sentences

A century later, Chinese companies operate ports in the Canal Zone, including key facilities at its Atlantic and Pacific gateways.

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

Which presidential hopeful was born in the Panama Canal Zone?

From Slate • Aug. 9, 2023

With these in place, German planes could leapfrog their way up the continent and seize the American-controlled Panama Canal Zone, and perhaps even Mexico or Cuba.

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