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 Climate Finance Innovation Lab, launched in parntership with Bank Negara Malaysia, pools public and private capital to fund Malaysia’s net-zero transition, including infrastructure for the ASEAN power grid. —Naina Subberwal Batra, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026

The new structures would need to settle gently into the landscape while meeting passive house and net-zero standards, adhere to a strictly vegan material palette, and channel a restrained Japanese-Shaker sensibility. —Kerry Pieri, Architectural Digest, 4 Mar. 2026

The company aims to reach net-zero on greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. —Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 23 Feb. 2026

As states and cities roll out strict building emissions caps, gas bans and net-zero targets, technologies that can deliver this kind of reliable, low-carbon heat are becoming more of a necessity. —Vanessa Bates Ramirez, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for net-zero

• nonzero
• subzero
• biro
• spiro
• zero
• superhero