Canal Zone

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

Canal′ Zone′, 

1. Place Names a zone in central Panama, crossing the Isthmus of Panama on both sides of the Panama Canal: governed by the U.S. from 1903 until 1979, when most of the zone was returned to Panama, for its eventual control of the entire zone by 2000;
   ab. 10 mi. (16 km) wide;
   excludes the cities of Panama and Colón. 44,650;
   553 sq. mi. (1432 sq. km). Abbr.: CZ (for use with zip code), C. Z.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Canal Zone noun

1. a former administrative region of the US, on the Isthmus of Panama around the Panama Canal: bordered on each side by the Republic of Panama, into which it was incorporated in 1979
   Also called: Panama Canal Zone