zoo

[ zoo ]

/ zu /

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

zonular cataract, zonular space, zonule, zonulitis, zonulolysis, zoo, zoobiotic, zoochem., zoochemistry, zoochlorella, zoochore

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

Example sentences from the Web for zoo

Despite his casual appearance, he was anxious to get going, like a dad waiting on dithering kids at the zoo.
The Learning Curve: One School District Stayed Open – and Didn’t Have Problems|Will Huntsberry|August 13, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Many physicists struggled to accept that so many elementary particles could exist in the universe, in what had become known as the “particle zoo.”
CERN: Physicists Report the Discovery of Unique New Particle|Harry Cliff|July 15, 2020|Singularity Hub
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

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
In Atlanta, though, you can spend the night in a zoo with real live animals.
Zoo Atlanta Invites You To A Slumber Party|Starbucks|July 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even before it was unveiled, critics were attacking the 21st-century version of the offensive original “zoo.”
Norway’s Controversial Human Zoo Is Back|Nina Strochlic|May 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A good circus or "zoo" may be worked out in a variety of materials.
Primary Handwork|Ella Victoria Dobbs
About a year ago Mr. and Mrs. M. were away for six weeks, and left the boa in charge of a keeper at the Zoo.
Animal Intelligence|George J. Romanes
For this reason most of the tigers in a zoo are much smaller than those tigers that grow up in the jungle.
The Wonders of the Jungle, Book Two|Prince Sarath Ghosh
She's overstocked this Zoo a dozen times already with her jealous freaks, and Jupiter hasn't reformed once.
Olympian Nights|John Kendrick Bangs
Under the great blazing sign of the Zoo entrance the capture was accomplished.
The Poor Little Rich Girl|Eleanor Gates

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.

Idioms and Phrases with zoo

zoo

see it's a zoo.

MEANINGS

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zoo

noun, plural zoos.

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Origin of zoo

Words nearby zoo

Definition for zoo (2 of 2)

Origin of zoo-

Example sentences from the Web for zoo

British Dictionary definitions for zoo (1 of 2)

noun plural zoos

Word Origin for zoo

British Dictionary definitions for zoo (2 of 2)

before a vowel zo-

combining form

Word Origin for zoo-

Medical definitions for zoo

pref.

Idioms and Phrases with zoo

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

zoo

noun, plural zoos.

QUIZZES

LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!

Origin of zoo

Words nearby zoo

Definition for zoo (2 of 2)

Origin of zoo-

Content related to zoo

Words related to zoo

Example sentences from the Web for zoo

British Dictionary definitions for zoo (1 of 2)

noun plural zoos

Word Origin for zoo

British Dictionary definitions for zoo (2 of 2)

before a vowel zo-

combining form

Word Origin for zoo-

Medical definitions for zoo

pref.

Idioms and Phrases with zoo