zero tolerance

American  

noun

1. a policy of very strict, uncompromising enforcement of rules or laws.

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zero tolerance British  

noun

1. 1. the policy of applying laws or penalties to even minor infringements of a code in order to reinforce its overall importance

   2. ( as modifier )

      a zero-tolerance policy on drugs

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Etymology

Origin of zero tolerance

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

zero tolerance

"The safety of our customers and our crew is our number one priority and we have zero tolerance for disruptive or threatening behaviour on our flights," a Qantas spokesperson told AFP on Sunday.

From Barron's ● May 17, 2026

He said he has spoken to the entire organisation and told officers there would be "zero tolerance" for misogyny and those who displayed that behaviour would "quickly lose their jobs".

From BBC ● May 7, 2026

The party’s leader, Zack Polanski, who is Jewish, said this week that he has zero tolerance for antisemitism and is working to improve the vetting process for candidates.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026

He said he had asked the prime minister to "guarantee the normalisation of antisemitism in the UK will stop, and that there will be zero tolerance".

From BBC ● Apr. 27, 2026

But this is not a complete or final solution, for a zero tolerance on paper is of little value.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson