neutral zone

noun

plural neutral zones

1

American football : a space between the two lines of scrimmage equivalent to the length of the ball that may not be encroached upon by either team until the ball is put in play

2

ice hockey : the portion of a rink (see rink sense 1a) between the attacking and defensive zones

3

: a zone or area of shared ownership or administration

In fact, the Saudis and Kuwaitis aid the Iraqis … by selling Iraqi oil from the neutral zone, a favor that pumps more than $3 million a day into Iraqi coffers.

—Newsweek

Examples of neutral zone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Campaigning is prohibited inside polling locations and within 100 feet of their entrances (called neutral zones). —Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 31 Oct. 2024

The system dials back on an aggressive two-forward forecheck, concentrating more on one forward guiding an opposing player into one area of a flooded neutral zone. —Eric Stephens, The Athletic, 3 Apr. 2024

Tip Three: Encourage Neutrality in Work Spaces Workspaces should be neutral zones where everyone feels comfortable and welcome. —Stephen Nalley, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024

Attire: Polling locations and neutral zones must remain free of attire and paraphernalia promoting or disparaging candidates, political parties or ballot issues. —Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 3