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

Far-right figure Marine Le Pen pledged to roll out air-conditioning across France if her party comes to power, while the British Conservatives vowed to overturn net-zero rules that restrict AC installation in new builds. — Sabrina Weiss, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026

The home is fully electric and net-zero ready, according to press materials. — Mark David, Robb Report, 4 July 2026

The Essex Resort and Spa has cooking classes for kids 8 and up, and The Sugar House Hotel in Winooski is planned to open this fall and is planned to be Marriott’s first all-electric, net-zero energy property. — Jaclyn Greenberg, Parents, 29 June 2026

Money raised from the program would go to pollution reduction and clean energy technologies to help the state hit its 2050 goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. — Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for net-zero

• subzero
• biro
• spiro
• zero
• superhero