zero out

phrasal verb

zeroed out; zeroing out; zeroes out
US
1
: to reduce the amount of (something) to zero
Be sure to zero out the account before you switch banks.
2
: to remove (something) completely
This program will be zeroed out in the budget for next year.
New legislation will zero out further funding for the project.

Examples of zero out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In April, the Trump administration was considering zeroing out funding for Head Start altogether for the next fiscal year, USA TODAY first reported. Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 24 July 2025 Trump’s budget also would zero out the funding for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program. Janelle Mella, jsonline.com, 18 July 2025 That would zero out the CPB budget over the next two years. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 July 2025 That means the Section 8 program could be zeroed out entirely, Curtis said. Lillian Metzmeier, The Courier-Journal, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for zero out

Cite this Entry

“Zero out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zero%20out. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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