z
1 Americanabbreviation
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an unknown quantity or variable.
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(in Cartesian coordinates) the z- axis.
noun
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the 26th letter of the English alphabet, a consonant.
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any spoken sound represented by the letter Z or z, as in zero, zigzag, or buzzer.
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something having the shape of a Z .
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a written or printed representation of the letter Z or z.
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a device, as a printer's type, for reproducing the letter Z or z.
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the 26th in order or in a series.
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(sometimes lowercase) the medieval Roman numeral for 2000.
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Chemistry, Physics. atomic number.
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Electricity. impedance.
abbreviation
symbol
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any unknown, variable, or unspecified factor, number, person, or thing
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chem atomic number
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physics impedance
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zone
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currency zaïre
abbreviation
noun
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the 26th and last letter and the 20th consonant of the modern English alphabet
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a speech sound represented by this letter, in English usually a voiced alveolar fricative, as in zip
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something shaped like a Z
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( in combination )
a Z-bend in a road
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symbol
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the z- axis or a coordinate measured along the z- axis in a Cartesian or cylindrical coordinate system
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an algebraic variable
Other Word Forms
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In 2010, Herbst Gaming declared bankruptcy and saw Primm taken over by Z Capital Partners.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
A survey conducted for Indeed last year found that 56% of Gen Z workers had rising expectations about these dynamics, compared with 49% of millennials, 39% of Gen Xers and 29% of baby boomers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
Jackie Jantos told the BBC Gen Z daters "absolutely want love" but were "struggling to have the confidence to put themselves out there" as they socialise less in person.
From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026
Gen Z and Gen Alpha aren’t so fatigued by Monkey’s Paw tales because horror’s cyclical nature hasn’t yet completely revamped this trope for a new era.
From Salon • Jun. 4, 2026
“Whatever you say, boss,” Z said, and he slipped out of the door, down the alley, and across the railroad tracks, disappearing into the trees on the far side.
From "Ruby Holler" by Sharon Creech
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.