z

noun

ˈzē How to pronounce z (audio)
Canadian, British, and Australian
ˈzed How to pronounce z (audio)
chiefly dialectal
ˈi-zərd How to pronounce z (audio)
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

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Words Starting With Z

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

Examples of z in a Sentence

a word that begins with a z a word that begins with z

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of z was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Z.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/z. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

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

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