Areas Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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areas

[ˈɛːrɪəz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

urban planning

Spaces or regions designated for a specific purpose, such as residential areas, commercial areas, or industrial areas.

Synonyms

districts, regions, zones.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
areas

This word is versatile and can refer to any specific space or part of a place, whether urban or rural. It can be used for small or large parts and doesn't imply any specific type of division.

  • The city has many beautiful residential areas.
  • We explored various areas of the park.
zones

Zones refer to defined parts of a larger area with a specific purpose or characteristic, such as time zones, economic zones, or safety zones. This term is often used in technical, scientific, and planning contexts.

  • The city has established several industrial zones.
  • They live in a seismic zone, so they need to take extra precautions.
districts

Districts are specific zones within a city or town that are often defined by administrative or political boundaries. This word is commonly used in the context of governance, school systems, and sometimes for city planning.

  • She lives in the financial district.
  • Students in this district go to Pine High School.
regions

Regions are larger geographic areas that can cover multiple cities, towns, or even countries. This word is often used in the context of geography, climate, economics, and cultural studies.

  • The northeastern region of the country is known for its cold winters.
  • He travels to different regions for his work.

Examples of usage

  • New residential areas are being developed on the outskirts of the city.
  • The city council designated the downtown area as a commercial zone.
Context #2 | Noun

academic

Subjects of study or expertise within a particular field, such as areas of specialization or research focus.

Synonyms

areas of interest, domains, fields.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
areas

Use 'areas' to refer to broad, often physical or geographical parts of something.

  • The flood affected several areas of the city.
  • We need to focus on different areas of the project.

Examples of usage

  • Her areas of expertise include quantum physics and astrophysics.
  • The professor's research areas cover a wide range of topics in biology.
Context #3 | Noun

mathematics

A specific part of a shape or surface, often measured in square units.

Synonyms

extent, size, surface area.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
areas

Refers to specific parts of a place, space, or subject, often physical or conceptually distinct sections.

  • She has explored various areas of the city.
  • We need to focus on the problem areas in the report.
surface area

Specifically refers to the total area that the surface of an object occupies, used often in scientific or mathematical contexts.

  • The surface area of the sphere was calculated for the experiment.
  • Increasing the surface area can improve reaction rates in chemistry.
extent

Use this word when talking about the degree, scope, or range of something, often abstract or measurable.

  • The full extent of the damage is still unclear.
  • He underestimated the extent of her knowledge.
size

Relates to the overall dimensions, magnitude, or capacity of something, both in physical and abstract terms.

  • The size of the room is perfect for a conference.
  • She was surprised by the size of his ambition.

Examples of usage

  • The area of the rectangle is calculated by multiplying its length by its width.
  • To find the area of a circle, you need to use the formula πr^2.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Geography

  • Geographic areas can be defined by physical boundaries (like mountains or rivers) or human-made ones (like city lines).
  • Urban planning utilizes specific area classifications to manage land use effectively, aiming to balance residential, commercial, and industrial spaces.
  • Environmental science studies areas to understand ecosystems, biodiversity, and the impacts of climate change on different regions.

Mathematics

  • In math, the term area specifically refers to the size of a surface, such as the space within the boundaries of a shape like a rectangle or a circle.
  • Calculating area is fundamental in geometry, helping with everything from architecture to land surveying.
  • Different formulas exist for different shapes; for example, the area of a rectangle is found by multiplying its length by its width.

Psychology

  • Psychologists examine areas of the brain linked with various functions, like memory, emotion, and decision-making.
  • Certain areas of study within psychology, such as developmental or cognitive psychology, focus on understanding human behavior and mental processes across different stages of life.
  • Research on social psychology explores how different areas of society influence individual attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.

Culture

  • Culturally designated areas, such as neighborhoods or districts, often reflect historical, economic, and social dynamics.
  • In the art world, 'areas of focus' can relate to specific themes or styles, highlighting certain artists' contributions to movements.
  • Globalization has led to blending areas of culture, where diverse customs, foods, and practices intermingle, creating unique fusions.

Origin of 'areas'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'area', which meant 'a vacant piece of level ground' or 'a space' and was used in various contexts to describe open spaces.
  • In medieval texts, the term was often used to describe cultivated plots of land, showing its connection to agriculture.
  • The transition to its modern usage included adapting to various fields such as mathematics and geography by the late 17th century.

The word 'areas' has its origins in Latin 'area', meaning open space or courtyard. Over time, it evolved to encompass various meanings in different contexts, from designated spaces in urban planning to subjects of expertise in academic fields. The concept of area is fundamental in mathematics, where it refers to the measurement of a specific part of a shape or surface. Today, 'areas' is a versatile term used across disciplines and industries to denote different types of spaces, regions, or expertise.


Word Frequency Rank

With position #326, this word is vital for basic English fluency. It appears very frequently in everyday language and should be among the first words you learn and actively use.