zero-based
adjective
ze·ro-based
ˈzir-(ˌ)ō-ˈbāst 
ˈzē-(ˌ)rō-
variants
or zero-base
ˈzir-(ˌ)ō-ˈbās
ˈzē-(ˌ)rō-
: having each item justified on the basis of cost or need
zero-based budgeting
Examples of zero-based in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One is a zero-base budget that would require justification for spending in every government agency.
—
Gillian Brassil, Sacramento Bee, 5 Feb. 2024
One of them is zero-base budgeting, which is something that gets thrown around at the federal level a lot.
—Dominic Pino, National Review, 11 Aug. 2023
Gillian Brassil, Sacramento Bee, 5 Feb. 2024
One of them is zero-base budgeting, which is something that gets thrown around at the federal level a lot.
—Dominic Pino, National Review, 11 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'zero-based.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1962, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near zero-based
Cite this Entry
“Zero-based.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zero-based. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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