Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

zero-rate

American  
[zeer-oh-rayt] / ˈzɪər oʊˌreɪt /

verb (used with object)

Chiefly British.
zero-rated, zero-rating
  1. to exempt (merchandise or services) from value-added tax.


Etymology

Origin of zero-rate

First recorded in 1970–75


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

It earns revenue from card interest payments when customers carry loan balances beyond an initial zero-rate period, as well as from interchange and other fees.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2025

Even as the BOJ has stuck with its zero-rate policy, encouraging a weaker yen as the Federal Reserve raises U.S. rates, the government has intervened in the currency market to support the yen.

From Reuters ● Oct. 28, 2022

AT&T is going to zero-rate HBO Max, T-Mobile’s cable-ish thing, TVision, is going to be prioritized on that network.

From The Verge ● Nov. 10, 2020

In a zero-rate environment, however, there’s very little punishment for having a tough year and needing to access the credit markets.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 26, 2020

We are delighted that the government has announced plans to #AxeTheReadingTax and zero-rate VAT on digital books and journals.

From BBC ● Mar. 11, 2020

VAT is payable on confectionery but products can be zero-rated if they are used for cooking.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2022

Former FCC officials say the new limits on zero-rated data plans are based on policy analysis that the federal agency undertook in 2016.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2018

Despite, or perhaps because of, the popularity of zero-rated services, net neutrality is barely on the country’s radar.

From Slate ● Dec. 14, 2017

"Zero-rating may provide an unfair advantage to the provider of the content that is zero-rated, compared to other content providers or potential new entrants," staffers with the Electronic Frontier Foundation wrote in a February post.

From US News ● Jul. 15, 2016

Magazines, along with books and newspapers, are normally zero-rated for VAT – this meant that Sky could avoid VAT on a small but significant percentage of revenue.

From The Guardian ● Nov. 19, 2012

He said the government had determined that traders do not pass the zero-rating benefit to consumers, while some make "fictitious and fake" claims for refunds.

From BBC ● Jun. 2, 2025

Those zero-rating schemes, like Binge On and T-Mobile’s other perks, actively favored the services that struck a deal with the company.

From The Verge ● Jan. 8, 2021

If it passes, it would be the third state to enact net neutrality rules and the first to prohibit some zero-rating programs.

From The Verge ● Jun. 4, 2018

Mobile internet access for people with little income to spare is a huge business opportunity—hence the popularity of zero-rating services in the country.

From Slate ● Dec. 14, 2017

One type of service that could proliferate in the new regime is zero-rating deals, where specific websites or services are exempted from a mobile carrier’s data caps.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 14, 2017

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember new words for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com