net-zero

adjective

net-ze·​ro ˈnet-ˈzē-(ˌ)rō How to pronounce net-zero (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Thinking long term, the brand has pledged ambitious sustainability goals, aiming to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its own operations and supply chain by 2040. Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025 Hunters Point meets net-zero challenge The idea to build Hunters Point was sparked by a friendly challenge, Gobuty says. Ryan Ballogg, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025 Looking further ahead, the company is targeting net-zero operations by 2050. Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 20 Oct. 2025 Those included a pledge to align JPMorgan’s funding in key sectors with a pathway to a net-zero-carbon-emissions world and a goal of financing $1 trillion in green initiatives by 2030. Justin Worland, Time, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for net-zero

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of net-zero was in 1936

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Cite this Entry

“Net-zero.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/net-zero. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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