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• zoon
  zoon

  noun

  any of the individuals of a compound organism.
• -zoon
  -zoon

  a combining form meaning “animal,” “organism” of the kind specified by the initial element, often corresponding to zoological class names ending in -zoa, with -zoon used to name a single member of such a class.

zoon

¹ American  

[zoh-on] / ˈzoʊ ɒn /

noun

Biology Rare.

• zoa
  plural

1. any of the individuals of a compound organism.

2. any individual, or the individuals collectively, produced from a single egg.

3. zooid.

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-zoon ² American  

1. a combining form meaning “animal,” “organism” of the kind specified by the initial element, often corresponding to zoological class names ending in -zoa, with -zoon used to name a single member of such a class.

   protozoon.

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-zoon ¹ British  

combining form

1. indicating an individual animal or an independently moving entity derived from an animal

   spermatozoon

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zoon ² British  

/ ˈzəʊɒn /

noun

1. a less common term for zooid

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Usage

What does -zoon mean? The combining form -zoon is used like a suffix meaning “animal” or "organism." It is occasionally used in scientific terms, particularly to refer to a single member of classes in zoology. In zoology, class has a specific meaning that refers to taxonomy. The form -zoon comes from Greek zôion, meaning “animal.” The word zoo also ultimately comes from this Greek root. Zoo is shortened from zoological garden. What are variants of -zoon?While -zoon doesn't have any variants, it is related to the form -zoa, which is the plural form of -zoon, as in Protozoa. When combined as a prefix, -zoon becomes zoo- or zo-, as in zooplankton or zooid. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles for zoo-, zo-, and -zoa. In some instances, -zoa is made singular by adding an -n to the end of the word, rather than using the combining form -zoon, as in sporozoan.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• zoonal
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• zoa
  plural

Etymology

Origin of zoon¹

First recorded in 1860–65; from New Latin zōon, from Greek zôion “animal”

Origin of -zoon²

see origin at zoon

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

zoon zoa

Cameras on the arms let the surgeons see what is happening, and they can zoon in and magnify the area being operated on.

From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2022

When Aristotle labelled our species a zoon politikon, or “political animal”, he linked this idea to our mental capacities.

From The Guardian ● Mar. 12, 2019

The Agriculture Department shut down the zoon in November after multiple complaints about animals being mistreated and kept in poor conditions.

From Washington Times ● Mar. 16, 2017

I'll tell 'ee as zoon as we git away, Maaster Jasper.

From The Birthright by Joseph Hocking

He'd hear the rusty old nail zoon and sing— And zip! your Mr. Bluejay's wing would drop A farewell-feather from the old tree-top!

From A Child-World by James Whitcomb Riley

That's what I do want to know, zoa come along—Woo ye though—Missus, let's behave pratty—Zur if you pleaze, Dame and I will let you walk along wi' us.

From Speed the Plough A Comedy, In Five Acts; As Performed At The Theatre Royal, Covent Garden by Thomas Morton