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
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
K. Kaufmann Another affordable, net-zero house is under construction in North Minneapolis, and a third is in development at the school. —John Cary
John Cary Examples of net-zero in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The greasy fat is gathered from hotels and fast-food chains like McDonalds and Burger King in the hopes of playing a part in the aviation industry’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
—Dawn Attride, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
The company plans for its super-midsized Phantom 3500 to enter service in 2030, about 20 years before aviation has made a collective pledge to reach net-zero carbon emissions.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 18 June 2025
Carbon offsets, electric vehicles, and glossy net-zero pledges are held up as solutions, while the core logic—produce more, ship further, grow faster—goes unchallenged.
—Nathalie Kelley, Time, 17 June 2025
Of the top five fossil fuel financiers, four are US-based, and all five withdrew in the past year or so from a net-zero banking coalition.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 17 June 2025
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Dawn Attride, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
The company plans for its super-midsized Phantom 3500 to enter service in 2030, about 20 years before aviation has made a collective pledge to reach net-zero carbon emissions.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 18 June 2025
Carbon offsets, electric vehicles, and glossy net-zero pledges are held up as solutions, while the core logic—produce more, ship further, grow faster—goes unchallenged.
—Nathalie Kelley, Time, 17 June 2025
Of the top five fossil fuel financiers, four are US-based, and all five withdrew in the past year or so from a net-zero banking coalition.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for net-zero
Cite this Entry
“Net-zero.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/net-zero. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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