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
1Words Nearby zero
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use zero in a sentence
The hospital effectively ended the legal proceedings by filing thousands of notices with Shelby County General Sessions Court stating that the defendants’ balances were now zero.
What Happens After a Debt Collection Machine Grinds to a Halt | by Wendi C. Thomas, MLK50: Justice Through Journalism | October 2, 2020 | ProPublica“What I’m focused on is ensuring we’re picking the right areas of enterprise to focus on,” she said, citing training, remote assist, and 3D visualization as the three primary use cases the company is zeroing in on.
Magic Leap’s Peggy Johnson: Becoming CEO of a pivoting business doesn’t mean jumping off the ‘glass cliff’ | lbelanger225 | October 1, 2020 | FortuneThe plaintiffs in Texas, which include 18 states with Republican governors or attorneys general, claim this zeroed-out mandate is unconstitutional.
7 big cases the Supreme Court will hear in its new term, explained | Ian Millhiser | October 1, 2020 | VoxYou’ve got to connect with those people who are at ground zero and know what they’re saying is really happening.
Erin Brockovich has given up on the federal government saving the environment | Nicole Goodkind | September 25, 2020 | Fortune“The industry dynamics have changed,” said Antonios Drossos, a Finland-based telecoms consultant whose firm Rewheel has analyzed EU zero-rating offers over recent years.
The EU’s top court just closed a major loophole in Europe’s net-neutrality rules | David Meyer | September 15, 2020 | Fortune
Not quite, but at one point the temperature registered 29 below zero, with 21 inches of snow.
Speed Read: The Juiciest Bits From the History of ‘Purple Rain’ | Jennie Yabroff | January 1, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThe longer someone stays well, the lower their chance of relapsing, although that possibility never becomes zero.
Is it True that “Gays vs. Traditionalists are a zero-Sum Game”?
Do LGBTs Owe Christians an Olive Branch? Try The Other Way Around | Jay Michaelson | December 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIslamic State brought “peace, autonomy, zero corruption, low crime-rate,” he Tweeted last month.
During the recession net immigration to the U.S. from Mexico fell to zero or less.
But the day he planned to start was very cold—the mercury stood twenty-seven below zero.
The Homesteader | Oscar MicheauxOf course, at roulette, some number or zero itself is bound to come up every time, but number twenty-seven was invariably unlucky.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume III (of 3) | Charles James WillsThe words whispered in the pastry-cook's ear cooled his hot fit of courage down to zero.
An Episode Under the Terror | Honore de BalzacAt last, one evening, he walked up to a table and said to the croupier, "When was zero up last?"
You Never Know Your Luck, Complete | Gilbert ParkerOne day last week, when the mercury was sulking at zero, three lambs arrived on the place.
The Red Cow and Her Friends | Peter McArthur
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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