Definition

1. Noun:
   • A zone from which military forces, operations, or installations are prohibited: A "demilitarized zone" is a specific area, often established by treaty or agreement between hostile parties, where military activity is forbidden. Its primary purpose is to serve as a buffer to reduce the risk of conflict.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The two nations agreed to establish a demilitarized zone along their shared border.
  • Tensions exist on both sides of the demilitarized zone separating North Korea and South Korea.
  • The peace treaty stipulated the creation of a wide demilitarized zone.

Advanced Usage

• In computing: In computer networking, a DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is a subnetwork that sits between a trusted internal network (like a corporate LAN) and an untrusted external network (like the internet). It contains services accessible from the outside, adding an extra layer of security.
  • The company's web server is placed in a DMZ to protect the internal database servers.

Variants and Related Words

• Demilitarize (verb): To remove military forces, installations, or character from an area.
  • The treaty required both sides to demilitarize the island.
• Militarized Zone (noun): The opposite concept; an area with a heavy military presence.
• Buffer Zone (noun): A neutral area serving to separate hostile forces or nations; a more general term that can include a DMZ.

Synonyms

• Neutral zone: An area where no side has military control.
• Buffer zone: An area separating conflicting forces.

Related Phrases

• To cross the DMZ: To move from one side of the demilitarized zone to the other, often implying a significant political or symbolic act.
  • The historic meeting took place after the leaders crossed the DMZ.

Related Idioms

Noun

1. a zone from which military forces or operations or installations are prohibited
   • tensions exist on both sides of the demilitarized zone separating North Korea and South Korea