TIME ZONE Meaning and
Definition
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A time zone refers to a geographical area that observes a uniform standard time for legal, commercial, and social purposes. The concept of time zones arose due to the need for a consistent and predictable measure of time across different regions of the world. It allows for efficient coordination of activities such as transportation, communication, and global business operations.
A time zone is typically defined by the difference, measured in hours, from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which serves as the global reference time standard. It is based on the rotation of the Earth and attempts to ensure that local times are relatively synchronized with the position of the Sun. As the Earth is divided into 24 time zones, each zone represents a separate strip of the Earth's surface encompassing roughly 15 degrees of longitude.
While the specific borders of time zones can be adjusted to accommodate geopolitical or administrative boundaries, they generally follow lines of longitude and are centered around major cities or regions. Time zones are crucial in coordinating international travel and business schedules, as they allow individuals and organizations to plan their activities accurately and avoid confusion caused by variations in local time.
Time zones can also be affected by Daylight Saving Time (DST), a practice where clocks are moved forward by an hour during the summer months to make better use of daylight. This adjustement is not universally practiced and varies among countries and regions.
Common Misspellings for TIME ZONE
Etymology of TIME ZONE
The etymology of the word "time zone" can be traced back to the late 19th century. The word "time" originates from the Old English word "tīma", which referred to "a proper or suitable time". It is related to the Old Norse "tími" and the German "Zeit".
The word "zone" comes from the Latin word "zona", meaning a "belt" or "girdle". It was borrowed into English in the late 15th century. In the context of time, the term "zone" was used to refer to a region or area with a particular time standard.
The combination of "time" and "zone" was first used in the late 19th century in reference to the division of the Earth into different regions, each with its own standard time. This concept was developed to facilitate scheduling and synchronize time across different geographical locations.
Similar spelling word for TIME ZONE
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