zero-point energy
[ zeer-oh-point ]
/ ˈzɪər oʊˌpɔɪnt /
noun Physics.
energy in a substance at the temperature of absolute zero.
RELATED CONTENT
Moot Point vs. Mute PointYou may have heard coworkers or acquaintances refer to an inconsequential or irrelevant point as a moot point, or maybe you’ve heard mute point instead. Fans of the TV show Friends may have heard a third variation: moo point (because, according to Joey, a cow’s opinion doesn’t matter). But which expression is correct, and what exactly does it mean? The correct phrase is moot point. …
Nearby words
zero-base budgeting, zero-coupon, zero-divisor, zero-emission, zero-emission vehicle, zero-point energy, zero-rate, zero-rated, zero-sum, zero-sum game, zero-zero
Origin of zero-point energy
First recorded in 1930–35
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Science definitions for zero-point energy
zero-point energy
The irreducible minimum energy possessed by a physical system, as of a substance at a temperature of absolute zero. The zero point energy of a vacuum is not zero due to vacuum fluctuations. See Note at absolute zero.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.