the figure or symbol 0, which in the Arabic notation for numbers stands for the absence of quantity; cipher. the figure or symbol 0, which in the Arabic notation for numbers stands for the absence of quantity; cipher. the origin of any kind of measurement; line or point from which all divisions of a scale, as a thermometer, are measured in either a positive or a negative direction. the origin of any kind of measurement; line or point from which all divisions of a scale, as a thermometer, are measured in either a positive or a negative direction. a mathematical value intermediate between positive and negative values. a mathematical value intermediate between positive and negative values. naught; nothing. naught; nothing. the lowest point or degree. the lowest point or degree. Linguistics. the absence of a linguistic element, as a phoneme or morpheme, in a position in which one previously existed or might by analogy be expected to exist, often represented by the symbol 0̷. Inflectional endings were reduced to zero. The alternant of the plural morpheme in “sheep” is zero. Linguistics. the absence of a linguistic element, as a phoneme or morpheme, in a position in which one previously existed or might by analogy be expected to exist, often represented by the symbol 0̷. Inflectional endings were reduced to zero. The alternant of the plural morpheme in “sheep” is zero. Ordnance. a sight setting for both elevation and windage on any particular range causing a projectile to strike the center of the target on a normal day, under favorable light conditions, with no wind blowing. Ordnance. a sight setting for both elevation and windage on any particular range causing a projectile to strike the center of the target on a normal day, under favorable light conditions, with no wind blowing. Mathematics. the identity element of a group in which the operation is addition. (of a function, especially of a function of a complex variable) a point at which a given function, usually a function of a complex variable, has the value zero; a root. the identity element of a group in which the operation is addition. the identity element of a group in which the operation is addition. (of a function, especially of a function of a complex variable) a point at which a given function, usually a function of a complex variable, has the value zero; a root. (of a function, especially of a function of a complex variable) a point at which a given function, usually a function of a complex variable, has the value zero; a root. (initial capital letter) a single-engine Japanese fighter plane used in World War II. (initial capital letter) a single-engine Japanese fighter plane used in World War II. verb (used with object) zeroes , present (3rd person singular) zeroed , past participle, past zeroing present participle to adjust (an instrument or apparatus) to a zero point or to an arbitrary reading from which all other readings are to be measured. to adjust (an instrument or apparatus) to a zero point or to an arbitrary reading from which all other readings are to be measured. to reduce to zero. to reduce to zero. Slang. to kill (a congressional bill, appropriation, etc.). The proposed tax increase has been zeroed for the time being. Slang. to kill (a congressional bill, appropriation, etc.). The proposed tax increase has been zeroed for the time being. amounting to zero. a zero score. amounting to zero. having no measurable quantity or magnitude; not any. zero economic growth. having no measurable quantity or magnitude; not any. zero economic growth. Linguistics. noting a hypothetical morphological element that is posited as existing by analogy with a regular pattern of inflection or derivation in a language, but is not represented by any sequence of phonological elements. the zero allomorph of “-ed” in “cut”; “Deer” has a zero plural. Linguistics. noting a hypothetical morphological element that is posited as existing by analogy with a regular pattern of inflection or derivation in a language, but is not represented by any sequence of phonological elements. the zero allomorph of “-ed” in “cut”; “Deer” has a zero plural. Meteorology. (of an atmospheric ceiling) pertaining to or limiting vertical visibility to 50 feet (15.2 meters) or less. of, relating to, or limiting horizontal visibility to 165 feet (50.3 meters) or less. (of an atmospheric ceiling) pertaining to or limiting vertical visibility to 50 feet (15.2 meters) or less. (of an atmospheric ceiling) pertaining to or limiting vertical visibility to 50 feet (15.2 meters) or less. of, relating to, or limiting horizontal visibility to 165 feet (50.3 meters) or less. of, relating to, or limiting horizontal visibility to 165 feet (50.3 meters) or less. Finance. zero-coupon . Finance. zero-coupon . being or pertaining to the precise time, as a specific hour or second, when something must or does happen, as the explosion of a nuclear weapon. in an underground shelter at zero second. being or pertaining to the precise time, as a specific hour or second, when something must or does happen, as the explosion of a nuclear weapon. in an underground shelter at zero second. zero in to aim (a rifle, etc.) at the precise center or range of a target. zero in to aim (a rifle, etc.) at the precise center or range of a target. zero in on to aim directly at (a target). to direct one's attention to; focus on; concentrate on. to converge on; close in on. to aim directly at (a target). to aim directly at (a target). to direct one's attention to; focus on; concentrate on. to direct one's attention to; focus on; concentrate on. to converge on; close in on. to converge on; close in on. Former name: cipher . the symbol 0, indicating an absence of quantity or magnitude; nought Former name: cipher . the symbol 0, indicating an absence of quantity or magnitude; nought the integer denoted by the symbol 0; nought the integer denoted by the symbol 0; nought the cardinal number between +1 and –1 the cardinal number between +1 and –1 a person or thing of no significance; nonentity a person or thing of no significance; nonentity the lowest point or degree his prospects were put at zero the lowest point or degree his prospects were put at zero the line or point on a scale of measurement from which the graduations commence the line or point on a scale of measurement from which the graduations commence the temperature, pressure, etc, that registers a reading of zero on a scale the value of a variable, such as temperature, obtained under specified conditions the temperature, pressure, etc, that registers a reading of zero on a scale the temperature, pressure, etc, that registers a reading of zero on a scale the value of a variable, such as temperature, obtained under specified conditions the value of a variable, such as temperature, obtained under specified conditions a gunsight setting in which accurate allowance has been made for both windage and elevation for a specified range a gunsight setting in which accurate allowance has been made for both windage and elevation for a specified range maths the cardinal number of a set with no members the identity element of addition the cardinal number of a set with no members the cardinal number of a set with no members the identity element of addition the identity element of addition linguistics an allomorph with no phonetic realization, as the plural marker of English sheep ( as modifier ) a zero form an allomorph with no phonetic realization, as the plural marker of English sheep an allomorph with no phonetic realization, as the plural marker of English sheep ( as modifier ) a zero form ( as modifier ) Also called: zero-coupon bond . finance a bond that pays no interest, the equivalent being paid in its redemption value Compare Zebra Also called: zero-coupon bond . finance a bond that pays no interest, the equivalent being paid in its redemption value Compare Zebra having no measurable quantity, magnitude, etc having no measurable quantity, magnitude, etc meteorol (of a cloud ceiling) limiting visibility to 15 metres (50 feet) or less (of horizontal visibility) limited to 50 metres (165 feet) or less (of a cloud ceiling) limiting visibility to 15 metres (50 feet) or less

(of a cloud ceiling) limiting visibility to 15 metres (50 feet) or less (of horizontal visibility) limited to 50 metres (165 feet) or less (of horizontal visibility) limited to 50 metres (165 feet) or less (tr) to adjust (an instrument, apparatus, etc) so as to read zero or a position taken as zero (tr) to adjust (an instrument, apparatus, etc) so as to read zero or a position taken as zero informal no (thing) at all this job has zero interest informal no (thing) at all this job has zero interest The numerical symbol 0, representing a number that when added to another number leaves the original number unchanged. The numerical symbol 0, representing a number that when added to another number leaves the original number unchanged. Although the origin of zero is controversial, some historians believe that it was invented by the Babylonians in about 500 BCE. In the sixth century, it was discovered by the Hindus and Chinese, and 700 years later, it reached the Western world via the Arabs. Zero is the only integer (whole number) that is neither positive nor negative. In a sense, zero makes negative numbers possible, as a negative number added to its positive counterpart always equals zero. When zero is added to or subtracted from a number, it leaves the number at its original value. Zero is essential as a position holder in the system known as positional notation. In the number 203, for example, there are two hundreds, zero tens, and three ones. Zero indicates that the value of the tens place is zero. In the number 1024, zero indicates that the value of the hundreds place is zero. Scientists use the term absolute zero (0° Kelvin) to refer to the (unattainable) theoretically lowest possible temperature, at which the kinetic energy of molecules is zero. Other Word Forms Inflected Forms zeroing present Conjugated Forms have zeroed perfect has zeroed perfect am zeroing progressive are zeroing progressive is zeroing progressive have been zeroing perfect progressive has been zeroing perfect progressive had zeroed perfect was zeroing progressive were zeroing progressive had been zeroing perfect progressive will zero simple will have zeroed perfect will be zeroing progressive will have been zeroing perfect progressive 1595–1605; < Italian < Medieval Latin zephirum < Arabic ṣifr cipher Zero means nothing. When you add zero to the number one, you get the number one. And if some gets a zero on a test, it means they've missed every question. You might know zero as 0, zilch, zip, nothing, or nada. While it is a number of no value, without it we wouldn't be able to count beyond 9. On a number line, all numbers below zero are negative. And the temperature at which water freezes is zero degrees Celsius. Occasionally you'll hear someone describe a person as a zero — which is a not-very-nice way to say that the person has nothing going for them. Vocabulary lists containing zero English Words Derived from Arabic Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide! Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use! Functions - High School Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time! 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: My desire for a folding phone before today was zero . From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026 “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 The experiment was carried out at Ben-Gurion University using clouds of rubidium atoms cooled to temperatures just above absolute zero . From Science Daily ● Sep. 8, 2026 A prenup can make sure that if one of you sacrifices your earning potential for the family, you’re not left starting from zero if the marriage ends. From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026 The last thing I wanted to do was hang around the wharf in zero shade. From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen Users go to AI bots for everything from recipes to life and relationship advice, even forming one-sided platonic or romantic relationships with the ones and zeroes that make up this digital ether behind a screen. From Salon ● Jun. 28, 2026 She zeroes in on the singer-songwriter’s frequent choice of yellow costuming and golden headwear, callouts to Yoruba culture and its spirits. From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 23, 2026 The concept of “Barista FIRE,” for instance, zeroes in on saving enough money to live off investments for most expenses, then taking a part-time job to cover the remaining costs. From Barron's ● Jan. 10, 2026 Conventional computers operate using bits -- streams of electrical or optical pulses that represent ones or zeroes . From Science Daily ● Dec. 23, 2025 “I tried running on this leg the other day,” I’m saying as the camera zeroes in on my pipe leg. From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen If you’re not, you’ve got to use money, which is hard to get, whereas you get shares by typing zeros into a spreadsheet. From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026 In conventional computing, information is represented by zeros and ones. From Science Daily ● May 30, 2026 And these worlds aren’t even real, just ones and zeros merged to form a network of communication that sometimes feels like incoherent gibberish. From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 2026 Classical computers process information as ones or zeros in bits. From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 23, 2026 My head spun just trying to think of that number, with three beautiful, fat zeros behind it. From "The Bridge Home" by Padma Venkatraman When his adult son who happened to be working at Tatte stopped by with a question, Shaich zeroed in on a shadow of stubble he spotted. From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026 He quickly zeroed in on two big problems: Coca-Cola had very little control over its bottlers, who packaged and distributed the product. From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026 From Washington, D.C., to Rhode Island to Oregon, federal judges nominated by presidents from both parties, including Donald Trump, have zeroed in on what’s called “the presumption of regularity.” From Salon ● Jul. 30, 2026 Narayan highlighted Ford’s improved margins, but also zeroed in on Ford’s EV losses. From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026 I heard his breath stop, and his eyes zeroed in on right field. From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer These strange laws of existence provide the framework for Ullom’s excellent social observations, zeroing in on each character’s relationship to this new world and comparing it to the old one. From Salon ● Aug. 24, 2026 But public health officials finally appear to be zeroing in on what’s causing it. From Slate ● Jul. 17, 2026 “This could create serious consequences, including a potential zeroing out of the state’s support for critical emission reduction programs,” said Phillip Fine, executive officer at the Bay Area Air District. From Los Angeles Times ● May 30, 2026 Investigators initially treated the death as an accident, but prosecutors reopened the investigation in October 2025, zeroing in on Jonathan Andic. From Barron's ● May 26, 2026 The opposition pounded the new president, zeroing in on his methods rather than his results. From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown 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. Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer. You'll remember them forever.