zoo

[ zoo ]

/ zu /

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noun, plural zoos.

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

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

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Origin of zoo

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

Words nearby zoo

zonked, zonk out, Zonta Club, Zontian, zonule, zoo, zoobiotic, zoochem., zoochemistry, zoochlorella, zoochore

Other definitions for zoo (2 of 2)

zoo-

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

Also especially before a vowel, zo-.

Origin of zoo-

Combining form representing Greek zôion animal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use zoo in a sentence

In addition, much of the FONZ fundraising, as well as the volunteer program, have been shifted over to the Smithsonian and the zoo, Monfort said.
National Zoo to split with longtime partner FONZ|Michael Ruane|February 4, 2021|Washington Post
I’ve become a little obsessed with the names we humans give animals, whether they are the pets in our homes or the wild animals that live at our zoos.
The National Zoo’s wild naming inspiration, from Billy Joel to the Golden Girls|John Kelly|January 25, 2021|Washington Post
The zoo reported that the new cub, who bears the name Xiao Qi Ji, displays a caution reminiscent of his mother, Mei Xiang.
Onward and upward for the zoo’s giant panda cub|Martin Weil|January 12, 2021|Washington Post
Another way viruses can change significantly is if they establish themselves in another species—even zoo tigers can catch covid—and then jump back to people.
The UK is spooking everyone with its new covid-19 strain. Here’s what scientists know.|Niall Firth|December 21, 2020|MIT Technology Review

In the 1980s, Escobar built himself a 7,000 acre estate that included, among other things a zoo, which included, among other things, four hippos—three females and a male bought from a zoo in California.
There’s no stopping this immortal jellyfish|PopSci Staff|December 9, 2020|Popular-Science
Triplet panda cubs born this past July were reunited with their mother, Juxiao, in a Chinese zoo this week.
‘Sexual’ Barbershop Quartet, a Panda Family Reunion, and More Viral Videos|The Daily Beast Video|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She worked with wildlife as a volunteer in Peru and the Galapagos; she worked with elephants in Thailand, at a zoo in Australia.
Let’s Free Stacey Addison, The Oregon Woman Jailed at the Ends of the Earth|Christopher Dickey|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They asked the director of the Buffalo Zoo for some wallaby hair.
Ebola's Roots Are 50 Times Older Than Mankind. And That Could Be the Key to Stopping It.|Michael Daly|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The zoo is blessed with multiple wallabies and was happy to oblige.
Ebola's Roots Are 50 Times Older Than Mankind. And That Could Be the Key to Stopping It.|Michael Daly|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I can appreciate the perspective that my experience is akin to visiting a human zoo.
Cocaine, Politicians and Wives: Inside the World’s Most Bizarre Prison|Jason Batansky|October 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I remember him saying once—it was at the Zoo—what a pity it was he hadn't enough to divide among the whole Cabinet.
First Plays|A. A. Milne
Human resemblances at the Zoo are quite enough to call up this purely functional giggling.
In Accordance with the Evidence|Oliver Onions
Did you ever see the great python that died lately at the Zoo climb his ragged staff of a tree?
Mushroom Town|Oliver Onions
There are any number of different kinds of monkeys, as you can see any day in the monkey house at the Zoo.
The Animal Story Book|Various
We caught the papa in a trap after he had killed a number of grouse, and not being badly hurt, I sent him to Bartlett at the Zoo.
Our Cats and All About Them|Harrison Weir

British Dictionary definitions for zoo (1 of 2)

zoo

/ (zuː) /

noun plural zoos

a place where live animals are kept, studied, bred, and exhibited to the publicFormal term: zoological garden

Word Origin for zoo

C19: shortened from zoological gardens (originally applied to those in London)

British Dictionary definitions for zoo (2 of 2)

zoo-

before a vowel zo-

combining form

indicating animalszooplankton

Word Origin for zoo-

from Greek zōion animal

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with zoo

zoo

see it's a zoo.