plural zeros also zeroes
1
a
: the arithmetical symbol 0 or 0̸ denoting the absence of all magnitude or quantity
b
: additive identity
specifically
: the number between the set of all negative numbers and the set of all positive numbers
c
: a value of an independent variable that makes a function equal to zero
+2 and −2 are zeros of f(x)=x2−4
2
: the absence of a measurable quantity see Table of Numbers
3
a(1)
: the point of departure in reckoning
specifically
: the point from which the graduation of a scale (as of a thermometer) begins
(2)
: the temperature represented by the zero mark on a thermometer
b
: the setting or adjustment of the sights of a firearm that causes it to shoot to point of aim at a desired range
4
: an insignificant person or thing : nonentity
5
a
: a state of total absence or neutrality
b
: the lowest point : nadir
6
: something arbitrarily or conveniently designated zero
1
a
: of, relating to, or being a zero
b
: having no magnitude or quantity : not any
zero growth
zero tolerance
c(1)
: having no phonetic manifestation
the zero modification in the past tense of cut
(2)
: having no modified inflectional form
a zero plural
2
a
of a cloud ceiling
: limiting vision to 50 feet (15 meters) or less
b
of horizontal visibility
: limited to 165 feet (50.3 meters) or less
zeroed; zeroing; zeroes
1
: to determine or adjust the zero of
zero a rifle
2
a
: to concentrate firepower on the exact range of
—usually used with in
b
: to bring to bear on the exact range of a target
—usually used with in
1
: to adjust fire on a specific target
—usually used with in
2
: to close in on or focus attention on an objective
—usually used with in
investigators are zeroing in on a suspect
Synonyms
Examples of zero in a Sentence
Noun
Two minus two equals zero.
It's supposed to fall below zero tonight.
The temperature is 10° above zero.
They are working to reduce the mortality rate to zero.
Recent Examples on the Web
Charlie Wood, WIRED, 3 Nov. 2024
Like Schrodinger's cat, qubits can be both ones and zeros at once, a property known as superposition.
—Anand Oswal, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Peter Greene, Forbes, 5 June 2021
Yet following an ineffective appearance last week against Clemson, Conley totaled exactly zero yards of total offense in playing almost the entirety of the second quarter Saturday night.
—Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal, 27 Oct. 2019
Tina Reed, Axios, 10 July 2024
Still other pieces zeroed on specific body parts: hands, heads, torsos, and the like.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for zero 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Photograph: Andrea Kane/Institute for Advanced Study This led her to the zeros of trace phi cubed.
—Charlie Wood, WIRED, 3 Nov. 2024
Like Schrodinger's cat, qubits can be both ones and zeros at once, a property known as superposition.
—Anand Oswal, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Many students have been missing the typical social interactions that are part of life in school (though a non-zero number of students have benefitted from not having to navigate such interactions).
—Peter Greene, Forbes, 5 June 2021
Yet following an ineffective appearance last week against Clemson, Conley totaled exactly zero yards of total offense in playing almost the entirety of the second quarter Saturday night.
—Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal, 27 Oct. 2019
Verb
Yes, but: The idea has limitations, starting with the difficulty of zeroing in and addressing transmission at the source, experts said.
—Tina Reed, Axios, 10 July 2024
Still other pieces zeroed on specific body parts: hands, heads, torsos, and the like.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for zero
Dictionary Entries Near zero
Cite this Entry
“Zero.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zero. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
zero
1 of 3 noun
ze·ro
ˈzē-rō 
ˈzi(ə)r-ō
plural zeros also zeroes
1
: the numerical symbol 0 meaning the absence of all magnitude or quantity see number
2
a
: a point (as on a scale) from which measurements are made
b
: a value or reading of zero
especially
: the temperature represented by zero on a thermometer
3
: something or someone of no importance
4
: the lowest point
zero
2 of 3 adjective1
a
: of, relating to, or being a zero
b
: having no size or quantity
zero growth
2
: showing no change in the word form
"sheep" is a noun with a zero plural
zero
3 of 3 verb1
: to find out or adjust the zero of (as a balance)
2
: to aim or concentrate on a target or goal
zero in on my problems with algebra
Medical Definition
zero
noun
ze·ro
ˈzē-(ˌ)rō
ˈzi(ə)r-(ˌ)ō
ˈzi(ə)r-(ˌ)ō
plural zeros also zeroes
1
: the arithmetical symbol 0 or 0̸ denoting the absence of all magnitude or quantity
2
a
: the point of departure in reckoning
specifically
: the point from which the graduation of a scale (as of a thermometer) begins
b
: the temperature represented by the zero mark on a thermometer
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