zoon

[ zoh-on ]

/ ˈzoʊ ɒn /

Save This Word!

noun, plural zo·a

[zoh-uh]. /ˈzoʊ ə/. Biology Rare.

any of the individuals of a compound organism.

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

zooid.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "IS" VS. "ARE"

"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."

Question 1 of 7

IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?

have

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of zoon

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

OTHER WORDS FROM zoon

zo·on·al

[zoh-uh-nl], /ˈzoʊ ə nl/, adjective

Words nearby zoon

zoom in on, zoom lens, zoomorphic, zoomorphism, zoom out, zoon, zoonosis, zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis, zoonotic potential, zooparasite, zoophagous

Other definitions for zoon (2 of 2)

-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: protozoon.

Origin of -zoon

see origin at zoon

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use zoon in a sentence

Lay hold on the poor devil, right end foremost, zoon as I have stopped uns praching.
Cripps, the Carrier|R. D. (Richard Doddridge) Blackmore
He gave Hyde both hands; he called him "mijn zoon;" he stooped, and put the little lad's arms around his neck.
The Bow of Orange Ribbon|Amelia E. Barr
I wudden trouble, Maaster Jasper; ship c'n nibble a lot on a dewy mornin', and we sh'll git rain zoon, I reck'n.
The Birthright|Joseph Hocking
Zummat occurred betwixt us, and Phil was zoon on the ground under me.
Three Courses and a Dessert|Anonymous

Thee zhut thee eyes an' walk about a bit, an' thee'll zoon get down!
Mr. Punch's Country Life|Various

British Dictionary definitions for zoon (1 of 2)

zoon

/ (ˈzəʊɒn) /

noun plural zoa (ˈzəʊə) or zoons

a less common term for zooid (def. 1)

Derived forms of zoon

zoonal, adjective

Word Origin for zoon

C19: from New Latin, from Greek zōion animal; related to Greek zōē life

British Dictionary definitions for zoon (2 of 2)

-zoon

n combining form

indicating an individual animal or an independently moving entity derived from an animalspermatozoon

Word Origin for -zoon

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 zoon

-zoon

suff.

Animal; independently moving organic unit:spermatozoon.