zoo

¹

[zoo]

noun

plural

zoos 

1. Also called zoological garden. a parklike area in which live animals are kept in cages or large enclosures for public exhibition.

2. Informal.,  a place, activity, or group marked by chaos or unrestrained behavior.

zoo-

²

1. a combining form meaning “living being,” “animal,” used in the formation of compound words.

   zoometry; zooplankton.

zoo-

¹

combining form

1. indicating animals

   zooplankton

zoo

²

/ zuː /

noun

1. Formal term: zoological garden. a place where live animals are kept, studied, bred, and exhibited to the public

Word History and Origins

Origin of zoo-¹

First recorded in 1840–50; first two syllables of zoological garden taken as one syllable

Origin of zoo-²

Combining form representing Greek zôion animal

Word History and Origins

Origin of zoo-¹

from Greek zōion animal

Origin of zoo-²

C19: shortened from zoological gardens (originally applied to those in London)

Idioms and Phrases

see it's a zoo.

Example Sentences

The largest attraction close to the proposed park is Whipsnade Zoo in Dunstable which Universal claims drew in 830,000 visitors in 2023.

From BBC

The doctor’s appointments, the dentist appointments, the haircuts and meal making, the playdates and sleepovers and trips to the playground/zoo/theme park/museum.

From Los Angeles Times

A burst pipe has forced a zoo to close for the day and other homes in the area to be affected by water supply issues.

From BBC

Investigators in India will visit a vast private zoo owned by the billionaire Ambani family, after the Supreme Court ordered an inquiry into allegations that animals were acquired unlawfully and mistreated.

From BBC

This is true for a veritable zoo of nonhuman creatures, including horses, parakeets, monkeys, and lizards, who all see the illusion as well.

From Slate

Related Words

• circus 

When To Use

What does zoo- mean?

The combining form zoo- is used like a prefix meaning “living being” or "animal." It is often used in scientific terms, especially in biology.The form zoo- comes from Greek zôion, meaning “animal.”What are variants of zoo-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, zoo- becomes zo-, as in zooid.When combined as a suffix, zoo- becomes -zoa or -zoon, as in protozoa or ectozoon. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles for zo-, -zoa, and -zoon.