zero

1 of 3

noun

plural zeros also zeroes
1
a
: the arithmetical symbol 0 or 0̸ denoting the absence of all magnitude or quantity
b
: additive identity
specifically : the number between the set of all negative numbers and the set of all positive numbers
c
: a value of an independent variable that makes a function equal to zero
+2 and −2 are zeros of f(x)=x2−4
2
: the absence of a measurable quantity see Table of Numbers
3
a(1)
: the point of departure in reckoning
specifically : the point from which the graduation of a scale (as of a thermometer) begins
(2)
: the temperature represented by the zero mark on a thermometer
b
: the setting or adjustment of the sights of a firearm that causes it to shoot to point of aim at a desired range
4
: an insignificant person or thing : nonentity
5
a
: a state of total absence or neutrality
b
: the lowest point : nadir
6
: something arbitrarily or conveniently designated zero

zero

2 of 3

adjective

1
a
: of, relating to, or being a zero
b
: having no magnitude or quantity : not any
zero growth
zero tolerance
c(1)
: having no phonetic manifestation
the zero modification in the past tense of cut
(2)
: having no modified inflectional form
a zero plural
2
a
of a cloud ceiling : limiting vision to 50 feet (15 meters) or less
b
of horizontal visibility : limited to 165 feet (50.3 meters) or less

zero

3 of 3

verb

zeroed; zeroing; zeroes

transitive verb

1
: to determine or adjust the zero of
zero a rifle
2
a
: to concentrate firepower on the exact range of
usually used with in
b
: to bring to bear on the exact range of a target
usually used with in

intransitive verb

1
: to adjust fire on a specific target
usually used with in
2
: to close in on or focus attention on an objective
usually used with in
investigators are zeroing in on a suspect

Examples of zero in a Sentence

Noun Two minus two equals zero. It's supposed to fall below zero tonight. The temperature is 10° above zero. They are working to reduce the mortality rate to zero.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
James Crumbley told him about a case in the couple's bedroom that held the two .22-caliber guns and was locked with a combination of all zeros. Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 12 Mar. 2024 The player scanned the ticket again, this time taking a closer look, and saw four zeros following the five, officials said. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2024 However, the best bet is generally tied to any combination of zeroes and/or sevens. Jaylon Thompson, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2024 Unlike classical bits, qubits can exist in a superposition of states, allowing for simultaneous combinations of zeros and ones. Craig S. Smith, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023 In November, the data packages transmitted by Voyager 1 manifested a repeating pattern of ones and zeros as if it were stuck, according to NASA. Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 6 Feb. 2024 One centuries-old account in The New York Herald estimated its value at $15 million, meaning the current worth would require a few more zeroes. Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Dec. 2023 The message was a string of binary code — with ones and zeros denoted by shifts in the frequency of a radio-wave transmission — that could be decoded into a grid of colored pixels arranged to represent several mathematic and scientific concepts, including the rough outline of a human. Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2024 Transistors are essentially switches that flick on and off to encode data as ones and zeros. IEEE Spectrum, 7 Jan. 2024
Adjective
Many students have been missing the typical social interactions that are part of life in school (though a non-zero number of students have benefitted from not having to navigate such interactions). Peter Greene, Forbes, 5 June 2021 Yet following an ineffective appearance last week against Clemson, Conley totaled exactly zero yards of total offense in playing almost the entirety of the second quarter Saturday night. Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal, 27 Oct. 2019 There is a decidedly non-zero possibility that the federal government will shut down on Friday night. Sy Mukherjee, Fortune, 18 Jan. 2018 Davis has played in just 13 NFL games, made zero appearances last year, and posted a passer rating of 66.2 in his three performances with the Browns in 2015. Matt Calkins, The Seattle Times, 5 June 2017 There’s absolutely zero evidence that dogs or cats can contract or transmit the virus. Patty Khuly, miamiherald, 10 May 2017
Verb
In the process, she’s zeroed on a discreet, stealthily chic aesthetic that puts an entirely new, fresh stamp on mom-to-be style. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 13 Dec. 2023 Both zeroed in eventually on Gould’s boyfriend as their primary suspect as well, and chatter about him was common in the Facebook group Bucholtz set up in Gould’s name in 2019. Sarah Viren, New York Times, 5 Dec. 2023 Equity investors often get zeroed when a company goes bust — a scenario that, going by action in the company’s bonds, is considered not unlikely. Norah Mulinda, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2023 Jenkins then zeroed in no Taylor, who was born in Tuskegee. Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 31 July 2023 America’s formal financial commitment for climate aid is now back to $1 billion, after the Trump administration zeroed it all out. Prem Thakker, The New Republic, 27 Apr. 2023 The theory behind the online-famous trend goes that, when a panic attack or bout of anxiety hits, sucking on tart candies distracts the brain from negative emotions, zeroing attention in on the sour, tingling sensation in the mouth. Sarah Garone, Health, 25 Apr. 2023 The team may be zeroing in with new revelations uncovered in tonight’s episode. Brenda Cain, cleveland, 25 July 2023 Several positions the team could zero in at are the following: Cornerback, tight end, right tackle, running back, interior defensive line and edge. The Enquirer, 24 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'zero.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French or Italian; French zéro, from Italian zero, from Medieval Latin zephirum, from Arabic ṣifr

First Known Use

Noun

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1911, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of zero was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near zero

Cite this Entry

“Zero.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zero. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

zero

1 of 3 noun
ze·​ro ˈzē-rō How to pronounce zero (audio)
ˈzi(ə)r-ō
plural zeros also zeroes
1
: the numerical symbol 0 meaning the absence of all magnitude or quantity see number
2
a
: a point (as on a scale) from which measurements are made
b
: a value or reading of zero
especially : the temperature shown by the zero mark on a thermometer
3
: something or someone of no importance
4
: the lowest point

zero

2 of 3 adjective
1
a
: of, relating to, or being a zero
b
: having no size or quantity
zero growth
2
: showing no change in the word form
"sheep" is a noun with a zero plural

zero

3 of 3 verb
1
: to find out or adjust the zero of (as a balance)
2
: to aim or concentrate on a target or goal
zero in on my problems with algebra

Medical Definition

zero

noun
plural zeros also zeroes
1
: the arithmetical symbol 0 or 0̸ denoting the absence of all magnitude or quantity
2
a
: the point of departure in reckoning
specifically : the point from which the graduation of a scale (as of a thermometer) begins
b
: the temperature represented by the zero mark on a thermometer

More from Merriam-Webster on zero

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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