zero-base

American  

[zeer-oh-bays] / ˈzɪər oʊˌbeɪs /

adjective

1. Also zero-based without reference to a base figure or to previous practice; according to present needs only, as opposed to a percentage increase or decrease of previous figures.

   zero-base planning; zero-base inventory.

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verb (used with object)

zero-based, zero-basing

1. to apply zero-base methods to.

Etymology

Origin of zero-base

First recorded in 1965–70

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

zero-base zero-based

When creating a zero-base budget, it’s important to leave yourself some wiggle room each month.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 26, 2021

The Battle Creek, Mich., company said its improved outlook comes as it expands its zero-base budgeting—which calls for departments to justify every cost at the start of each year—to its international markets.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2016

Its cost-cutting efforts are also taking hold after it last year became the latest big U.S. food maker to adopt a financial tool known as zero-base budgeting.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 5, 2016

Directed, Choreographed and Costumed by Geoffrey Holder Almost everyone has heard of zero population growth and zero-base budgeting.

From Time Magazine Archive

Aspin and his staff have been studying a zero-base, bottom-up estimate of the kinds of forces the U.S. needs to respond to post-cold war threats.

From Time Magazine Archive

Fad budgeting methods with cute names come and go: zero-based, 50/30/20, envelope, and so forth.

From MarketWatch ● May 14, 2026

Kraft Heinz executives, many of them from 3G, used an aggressive cost-cutting measure called zero-based budgeting, under which all expenses had to be justified anew each year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 2, 2026

All departments have also reassessed spending from first principles, as part of a "zero-based" review.

From BBC ● Jun. 8, 2025

“I always think the first step is a zero-based budget,” she says, which means every dollar is accounted for, including money set aside for savings and any debt payments.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 11, 2023

There are four main ones I recommend: zero-based budgeting, the 50-30-20 budget, cash envelopes, and the pay yourself first method.

From Slate ● Jul. 14, 2022

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