First Known Use: 1598
Dictionary
1zero
noun ze·ro \ˈzē-(ˌ)rō, ˈzir-(ˌ)ō\
: the number 0
: the temperature shown by the zero mark on a thermometer
: nothing at all
plural zeros also zeroes
Full Definition of ZERO
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
— see number table
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
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See zero defined for kids
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Origin of ZERO
French or Italian; French zéro, from Italian zero, from Medieval Latin zephirum, from Arabic ṣifr
Related to ZERO
Other Number-Related Terms
2zero
adjective
: not any
Full Definition of 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
See zero defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ZERO
1810
3zero
verb
: to set (a measuring device, such as a scale) so that it reads 0
Full Definition of ZERO
transitive verb
1
: to determine or adjust the zero of (as 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
intransitive verb
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>
See zero defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ZERO
1913
ZERO Defined for Kids
zero
noun ze·ro \ˈzē-rō, ˈzir-ō\
plural zeros or zeroes
Definition of ZERO for Kids
1
: the numerical symbol 0 meaning the absence of all size or quantity
2
: the point on a scale (as on a thermometer) from which measurements are made
3
: the temperature shown by the zero mark on a thermometer
4
: a total lack of anything : nothing <His contribution was zero.>
Word History of ZERO
The word zero was taken into English through French from Italian. In Italian zero appears to have been shortened from zefiro or zefro, itself a borrowing from Arabic ṣifr. In the Middle Ages Italian merchants and mathematicians learned from the Arabs of a way of writing numbers different from the traditional Roman numerals. The new numbers had a symbol that Roman numerals lacked, which was called by the Arabs ṣifr, literally “empty.” Our word cipher also comes ultimately from Arabic ṣifr.
Medical Dictionary
zero
noun ze·ro \ˈzē-(ˌ)rō, ˈzi(ə)r-(ˌ)ō\
plural zeros also zeroes
Medical Definition of ZERO
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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