time zone
time zone, a zone on the terrestrial globe that is approximately 15Β° longitude wide and extends from pole to pole and within which a uniform clock time is used. Time zones are the functional basis of standard time and were introduced in the late 19th century as railways connected places that had differing local times.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Erik Gregersen.
Citation Information
Article Title:
time zone
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
31 July 2026
Access Date:
November 14, 2026