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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

"Many zoo studies focus only on what happens immediately after food is provided," Associate Professor Whittaker said.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026

Also offered: a straw maze, pumpkin decorating, a petting zoo, giant rocking horses, slides and more.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

The zoo previously hosted a pair, Lun Lun and Yang Yang, who had seven offspring.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

A zoo has blamed a computer error after it advertised a "child predator tour" online to see its tigers and lions.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

But how exactly did one get to the zoo?

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

Under China’s arrangements with foreign zoos, offspring are considered to be China’s and eventually returned to China.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

He has also been fascinated by reptiles for most of his life and has long supported zoos, museums, and natural history.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 18, 2026

Leigh had previously approached about 30 zoos and museums for help with the project before the Museum of Chelmsford said they would lend a hand.

From BBC ● Sep. 6, 2026

After a bigger splash at the New York World’s Fair in 1964, Mold-A-Ramas proliferated across the U.S., popping up in zoos, museums and anywhere tourists might exchange a coin for a toy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026

A plague upon bad zoos with bad enclosures!

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Related Words

• circus