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
Definition 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. 2021
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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
Medical definitions for zoo
zoo-
pref.
Animal; animal kingdom:zoonosis.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Idioms and Phrases with zoo
zoo
see it's a zoo.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.