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 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 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

Announced at the Hot Chips conference, the processor is the first dual-architecture mainframe chip from IBM and is being developed for future IBM Z and LinuxONE systems. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 25 Aug. 2026

The budget and health case For Gen Z and millennials watching their spending, zebra striping doubles as a budget strategy. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026

According to Datassential’s Little Treat Culture HotShot Report, 77% of Gen Z consumers have a little treat at least once a week, compared with 66% of consumers overall. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026

Three years ago, 79% of Gen Z respondents told Jobber’s Blue Collar Report that their parents had steered them toward four-year college, and only 5% considered vocational school an option. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Aug. 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