time zone

noun

1. one of the 24 regions or divisions of the globe approximately coinciding with meridians at successive hours from the observatory at Greenwich, England.

time zone

noun

1. a region throughout which the same standard time is used. There are 24 time zones in the world, demarcated approximately by meridians at 15° intervals, an hour apart See also zonetime

time zone

1. Any of the 24 divisions of the Earth's surface used to determine the local time for any given locality. Each zone is roughly 15° of longitude in width, with local variations for economic and political convenience. Local time is one hour ahead for each time zone as one travels east and one hour behind for each time zone as one travels west. The International Meridian Conference in 1884 established the prime meridian as the starting point for the 24 zones.
2. See more at International Date Line

Word History and Origins

Origin of time zone¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Vetro works pretty much round the clock, often consulting in several time zones.

From Los Angeles Times

It was based two time zones away in Sarasota, Florida, although nobody in Florida politics had ever heard of the Ninjas.

From Salon

What’s more, the Vikings are crossing two time zones on a short week.

From Los Angeles Times

What’s more, the Vikings are crossing two time zones on a short week.

From Los Angeles Times

But the past month had seen USC and its quarterback crisscross the country, its College Football Playoff hopes unraveling over three Big Ten trips across multiple time zones.

From Los Angeles Times