Definition

1. Noun:

   • The numerical symbol 0; the number representing no quantity or amount: The integer between +1 and -1.
   • A point of origin on a scale: The point from which measurements begin, such as on a thermometer or ruler.
   • The lowest possible amount or level; nothing: A state of complete absence or nullity.

2. Adjective:

   • Amounting to the number zero; having no quantity: Indicating the absence of all units.
   • Having no measurable value or effect: Being of no significance or degree.
   • Relating to a point of origin: Pertaining to a starting point, as in a coordinate system.

3. Verb:

   • To adjust an instrument to a zero point: To set a measuring device so it reads zero.
   • To focus or direct attention precisely on a target: To aim or concentrate on something with great accuracy.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The temperature dropped to zero last night.
  • Subtracting five from five gives you zero.
  • His contribution to the project was zero.

• Adjective:

  • The company aims for zero waste in its manufacturing process.
  • There is zero chance of rain today.
  • Start from the zero mark on the tape measure.

• Verb:

  • Before you weigh the ingredients, you must zero the scale.
  • The sniper zeroed his scope for a distance of 300 meters.

Advanced Usage

• "Zero in on": To focus all attention or effort directly on a specific target or goal.

  • The detective zeroed in on the key piece of evidence.
  • The marketing campaign will zero in on young professionals.

• "Zero tolerance": A policy of punishing all infractions of a rule severely, without exception.

  • The school has a zero tolerance policy for bullying.

• "Ground zero": The point on the earth's surface directly above or below an exploding nuclear weapon; more generally, the very beginning or the central point of a significant event.

  • The museum is located at ground zero of the historic battle.

Variants and Related Words

• Zero-sum (adj): Describing a situation in which one participant's gain or loss is exactly balanced by the losses or gains of other participants.

  • Poker is often described as a zero-sum game.

• Zero-hour (n): The time at which a planned operation, especially a military one, is set to begin.

  • The troops awaited zero-hour.

Synonyms

• Noun: Nothing, nil, naught, zilch, nada, null.
• Adjective: None, no, nonexistent.
• Verb: Adjust, calibrate, aim, focus.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Zero out: To reduce an amount to zero; to completely eliminate or cancel.
  • The accountant zeroed out the old debts.
  • Please zero out the totals before starting the new count.

Related Idioms

• "From zero to hero": Describes a dramatic change from being a complete failure to being very successful.

  • After his invention took off, he went from zero to hero in the tech industry.

• "Below zero": Having a temperature less than zero degrees on a scale (typically Fahrenheit or Celsius).

  • It was ten degrees below zero outside.

Adjective

1. of or relating to the null set (a set with no members)
2. indicating an initial point or origin
3. having no measurable or otherwise determinable value
   • the goal is zero population growth
4. indicating the absence of any or all units under consideration
   • a zero score

Noun

1. the sight setting that will cause a projectile to hit the center of the target with no wind blowing
2. the point on a scale from which positive or negative numerical quantities can be measured
3. a mathematical element that when added to another number yields the same number
4. a quantity of no importance
   • it looked like nothing I had ever seen before
   • reduced to nil all the work we had done
   • we racked up a pathetic goose egg
   • it was all for naught
   • I didn't hear zilch about it

Verb

1. adjust (as by firing under test conditions) the zero of (a gun)
   • He zeroed in his rifle at 200 yards
2. adjust (an instrument or device) to zero value