zero
the figure or symbol 0, which in the Arabic notation for numbers stands for the absence of quantity; cipher.
the origin of any kind of measurement; line or point from which all divisions of a scale, as a thermometer, are measured in either a positive or a negative direction.
a mathematical value intermediate between positive and negative values.
naught; nothing.
the lowest point or degree.
Linguistics. the absence of a linguistic element, as a phoneme or morpheme, in a position in which one previously existed or might by analogy be expected to exist, often represented by the symbol 0̷: Inflectional endings were reduced to zero. The alternant of the plural morpheme in “sheep” is zero.
Ordnance. a sight setting for both elevation and windage on any particular range causing a projectile to strike the center of the target on a normal day, under favorable light conditions, with no wind blowing.
Mathematics.
the identity element of a group in which the operation is addition.
(of a function, especially of a function of a complex variable) a point at which a given function, usually a function of a complex variable, has the value zero; a root.
(initial capital letter) a single-engine Japanese fighter plane used in World War II.
to adjust (an instrument or apparatus) to a zero point or to an arbitrary reading from which all other readings are to be measured.
to reduce to zero.
Slang. to kill (a congressional bill, appropriation, etc.): The proposed tax increase has been zeroed for the time being.
amounting to zero: a zero score.
having no measurable quantity or magnitude; not any: zero economic growth.
Linguistics. noting a hypothetical morphological element that is posited as existing by analogy with a regular pattern of inflection or derivation in a language, but is not represented by any sequence of phonological elements: the zero allomorph of “-ed” in “cut”; “Deer” has a zero plural.
Meteorology.
(of an atmospheric ceiling) pertaining to or limiting vertical visibility to 50 feet (15.2 meters) or less.
of, relating to, or limiting horizontal visibility to 165 feet (50.3 meters) or less.
Finance. zero-coupon.
being or pertaining to the precise time, as a specific hour or second, when something must or does happen, as the explosion of a nuclear weapon: in an underground shelter at zero second.
zero in, to aim (a rifle, etc.) at the precise center or range of a target.
zero in on,
to aim directly at (a target).
to direct one's attention to; focus on; concentrate on.
to converge on; close in on.
Origin of zero
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use zero in a sentence
Was I becoming a ones-and-zeros, bits-and-bytes version of my mother?
YouTubers The Super Zeros went down and caught the cosplayers on video Thursday.
Cosplayers Take Over New York Comic Con | Alex Chancey, The Daily Beast Video | October 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTFor more than 60 years, America has pretended that the “ground zeros” of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are not there.
The units mean that a flight was successful, the zeros that it was not.
The Art and Practice of Hawking | Edward B. MichellNature wears this air of impartiality, because her figures are only zeros, deriving all their significance from their position.
In transcribing this number, these empty places are filled by zeros—a figure of no value in itself.
Montessori Elementary Materials | Maria MontessoriTherefore zeros in the multiplier would cause a corresponding change of position in the figures of the multiplicand.
Montessori Elementary Materials | Maria MontessoriWho can say how many families of Jukes and Zeros have already been inhibited by this simple and humane means?
The Social Direction of Evolution | William E. Kellicott
British Dictionary definitions for zero
/ (ˈzɪərəʊ) /
the symbol 0, indicating an absence of quantity or magnitude; nought: Former name: cipher
the integer denoted by the symbol 0; nought
the cardinal number between +1 and –1
nothing; nil
a person or thing of no significance; nonentity
the lowest point or degree: his prospects were put at zero
the line or point on a scale of measurement from which the graduations commence
the temperature, pressure, etc, that registers a reading of zero on a scale
the value of a variable, such as temperature, obtained under specified conditions
a gunsight setting in which accurate allowance has been made for both windage and elevation for a specified range
maths
the cardinal number of a set with no members
the identity element of addition
linguistics
an allomorph with no phonetic realization, as the plural marker of English sheep
(as modifier): a zero form
Also called: zero-coupon bond finance a bond that pays no interest, the equivalent being paid in its redemption value: Compare Zebra
having no measurable quantity, magnitude, etc
meteorol
(of a cloud ceiling) limiting visibility to 15 metres (50 feet) or less
(of horizontal visibility) limited to 50 metres (165 feet) or less
(tr) to adjust (an instrument, apparatus, etc) so as to read zero or a position taken as zero
informal, mainly US no (thing) at all: this job has zero interest
Origin of zero
1- See also zero in
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for zero
[ zîr′ō ]
The numerical symbol 0, representing a number that when added to another number leaves the original number unchanged.
a closer look
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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