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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

“Crimson has proven to be incredibly resilient,” the zoo said, “returning almost immediately to the curious, energetic behavior expected of a growing cub.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026

He had lost 10% of his body weight and had several of his toes missing on a hind leg, which zoo officials said happened in the wild.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026

Peak Cluster chief executive David Parkin said the firm remained committed to working with the zoo.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

"Everybody knows who's who in the zoo," Nyathi explains.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

Cassiopeia, asked, meaning, obviously, “If, as you say, there is no such person as Judge Quinzy, then who was the man who took us to the zoo the other day?”

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

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

From Time Magazine Archive

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

When the UK left the European Union in 2020, zoos in this country were not able to use EU agreements which were in place, for the transportation of animals between European countries.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

They are not commonly displayed at zoos as they are relatively more sensitive to infections, the Kobe zoo said in a written statement to AFP Monday.

From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026

They were flown to be released in Kazakhstan, to help continue a species revival led by European zoos.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

“Simply stated, to keep these important educational institutions afloat, almost all zoos across the United States have turned to public-private partnerships,” the civil grand jury wrote in its 2025-2026 report.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2026

The final buyers were a number of zoos, mainly the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago and the soon-to-open Minnesota Zoo, but odd animals were going to Los Angeles, Louisville, Oklahoma City and Cincinnati.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Related Words

• circus