zone defense
noun
: a system of defense (as in basketball or football) in which each player guards an assigned area rather than a specified opponent
Examples of zone defense in a Sentence
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The Pelicans went on a 17-3 run across a five-minute stretch in the second quarter when their zone defense gave Orlando’s offense problems.
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Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2026
South Carolina made a mid-second quarter adjustment into a zone defense and a half-court press that forced one 10-second violation and another turnover that led to a fast-break layup and and free throw from Ta’Niya Latson.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Friday that the Heat’s move to more zone defense factored in going with veteran point guard Dru Smith over rookie point guard Kasparas Jakucionis the past two games.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
The Heat did it by sitting in its zone defense for most of the night, slowing the 76ers and forcing them into 17 non-paint two-point shots.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
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Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2026
South Carolina made a mid-second quarter adjustment into a zone defense and a half-court press that forced one 10-second violation and another turnover that led to a fast-break layup and and free throw from Ta’Niya Latson.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Friday that the Heat’s move to more zone defense factored in going with veteran point guard Dru Smith over rookie point guard Kasparas Jakucionis the past two games.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
The Heat did it by sitting in its zone defense for most of the night, slowing the 76ers and forcing them into 17 non-paint two-point shots.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for zone defense
Cite this Entry
“Zone defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zone%20defense. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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