zero tolerance
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of zero tolerance
First recorded in 1935–40
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.
“Let me be clear: there is zero tolerance for illegal street racing and street takeovers in Los Angeles,” Bass said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
Executive chairman Donald Tang told AFP last year that the company has "zero tolerance" for forced labour.
From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026
No matter what I’m reading, I have zero tolerance for bad writing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
“Safety is a cornerstone of our business and we have zero tolerance for inappropriate and unsafe behavior.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2026
When she says something about zero tolerance, Abby squeezes my hand.
From "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
