combat zone
Americannoun
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Military. an area in a theater of operations where combat forces operate, extending typically from the front line to the communications zone.
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Slang. an area in some cities, usually in an older midtown section, where pornography stores, striptease bars, etc., flourish, or are tolerated because of being concentrated in one district.
Etymology
Origin of combat zone
First recorded in 1935–40
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled that neither federal law nor the Constitution shields military contractors if their mistakes or negligence result in solders being injured in a combat zone.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2026
During that time, shippers are unlikely to risk sending commercial vessels through the combat zone, analysts say.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 4, 2026
British troops are not going into Gaza, as it currently stands, and they are not being sent into a combat zone.
From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2025
According to one soldier in the area who wished to remain anonymous, rotating troops has become even more dangerous than having them stay in the combat zone.
From Barron's ● Oct. 12, 2025
Since I’ll be in a combat zone, Beetee helps me with armor Cinna designed.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
