z

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈzē 

Canadian, British, and Australian

ˈzed 

chiefly dialectal

ˈi-zərd 

variants often Z

plural z's or zs

often attributive

1

a

: the 26th and last letter of the English alphabet

b

: a graphic representation of this letter

c

: a speech counterpart of orthographic z

2

: a graphic device for reproducing the letter z

3

: one designated z especially as the 26th in order or class or the third in order or class when x is made the first

4

: something shaped like the letter Z

5

: wink sense 1

—usually used in plural

catch some z's before dinner

z

2 of 4

abbreviation (1)

1

zero

2

zone

Z

3 of 4

noun (2)

: z particle

Z

4 of 4

abbreviation (2)

variants or ZD

zenith distance

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Words Starting With Z

Browse 1,234 words and phrases that start with the letter Z from za to Zyzzogeton.

Synonyms of z

Noun (1)

• napping
• resting
• slumbering
• bed
• slumber
• sleep
• rest

Examples of z in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a word that begins with a z

a word that begins with z

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Bank of America economists analyzed aggregate credit and debit card spending across 70 million consumer and small-business accounts and found Gen Z spending on fitness categories grew roughly 9%, compared with less than 4% growth in bar spending. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 July 2026

Nolan referenced Obsession writer-director Curry Barker and Backrooms director Kane Parsons as examples of original Gen Z filmmakers making a splash at the box office. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 13 July 2026

The company also says the last top-of-the-line Z will be the latest Chinese EV to make a run at the Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record this fall. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 13 July 2026

New York Times Gen X bosses are disengaging, while Gen Z talent is quitting. — Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 13 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1967, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing z

• z-axis
• z-coordinate
• z distribution
• z-score
• z-test

Kids Definition

z

noun

ˈzē

British & Canadian ˈzed

plural z's or zs

often capitalized

1

: the 26th and last letter of the English alphabet

2

: a brief nap

catch some z's before dinner

Medical Definition

Z

symbol

1

atomic number

2

impedance