zoo

¹ American  

[zoo] / zu /

noun

plural

zoos

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.

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

Example Sentences

"People really need to know what they are letting themselves in for before buying an exotic pet. Come and speak to people like us, or staff at zoos - find out what it entails."

From BBC

She became a vegetarian, and in 2013 even threatened to apply for Russian citizenship in protest against plans to kill two sick elephants in a French zoo.

From BBC

A wild black bear took a jaunt around a Northern California zoo and was spotted visiting its bear neighbors.

From Los Angeles Times

The zoo said fewer than 17,000 maned pups survive in the wild across South American grasslands and said every birth was "significant for conservation efforts".

From BBC

The baby male gorilla has not yet been named by zoo staff, but he has already been introduced to his older sister.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• circus