subzero

adjective

sub·​ze·​ro ˌsəb-ˈzē-(ˌ)rō 

-ˈzir-(ˌ)ō

variants or sub-zero

1

: registering less than zero on some scale (especially the Fahrenheit scale)

subzero temperatures

2

: characterized by or suitable for subzero temperatures

subzero winters

sub-zero snow boots

Here the altitude was almost a mile and a half above sea level and there was already hard frost in the mornings. With the first storm, the mornings would be subzero.

—Tony Hillerman

Examples of subzero in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Experts have warned that power plants have suffered too much damage to be repaired before subzero temperatures set in, around December, which could plunge many people into dangerously cold living conditions. —Oleksandra Mykolyshyn, New York Times, 5 June 2024

The chef’s kitchen offers timeless beauty with solid cherry wood cabinets (some with pullout drawers), stainless steel appliances, subway tile backsplash, black granite counters, a propane stove, a subzero refrigerator, a farmhouse sink and a coffee station. —Karen A. Avitabile, Hartford Courant, 19 May 2024

Weather: An arctic cold front continues to impact the Louisville Metro with bitterly cold temperatures and subzero wind chills. —Keisha Rowe, The Courier-Journal, 16 Jan. 2024

Making ice requires more than subzero temperatures. —Quanta Magazine, 17 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

subzero

adjective

sub·​ze·​ro

ˌsəb-ˈzē-rō

: being or marked by temperature below zero