net-zero

adjective

net-ze·​ro ˈnet-ˈzē-(ˌ)rō 

-ˈzir-(ˌ)ō

: resulting in neither a surplus nor a deficit of something specified when gains and losses are added together

net-zero carbon emissions

The General Services Administration has sealed an unusual deal to guarantee achievement of net-zero energy consumption in a federal facility …

—Charles S. Clark

especially, of buildings : producing enough energy (as through solar panels or passive heating) to offset any energy consumed

By 2020 all new homes built in California will have to be net-zero buildings that produce enough power to offset all their energy needs …

—K. Kaufmann

Another affordable, net-zero house is under construction in North Minneapolis, and a third is in development at the school.

—John Cary

Examples of net-zero in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The conversion project is part of a broader strategy the City of London Corporation has implemented to achieve net-zero carbon emissions for its own operations by 2027. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2026

Interesting Engineering previously reported that China is building a record number of nuclear reactors toward its net-zero goal to be achieved by 2060. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026

That lack of investment in domestic infrastructure has in turn helped enable governments led by Carney and his predecessor, Justin Trudeau, to pursue their virtue signaling net-zero by 2050 goals. — David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Many countries and major companies have net-zero targets for 2050 or beyond. — Peter Prengaman, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for net-zero

• subzero
• biro
• spiro
• zero
• superhero