| time zone | |
| —n | |
| See also zonetime 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 | |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
| time zone
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. See more at International Date Line, standard time. |
time zone
a zone on the terrestrial globe that is approximately 15 longitude wide and extends from pole to pole and within which a uniform clock time is used. Time zones are the functional basis of standard time (q.v.).
Learn more about time zone with a free trial on Britannica.com.