/
ˈzɪərəʊ/
cardinal number
(pl. zeros)
the figure 0; nought; nothing.
▸a point on a scale or instrument from which a positive or negative quantity is reckoned.
▸a temperature of 0°C (32°F), marking the freezing point of water.
▸the lowest possible amount or level; nothing at all.
▸informal a worthless or insignificant person.
v.
(zeroes, zeroing, zeroed)
- adjust (an instrument) to zero.
- set the sights of (a gun) for firing.
▸
(zero in on)
take aim at or focus attention on.
Etymology
C17: from Fr. zéro or Ital. zero, via Old Sp. from Arab. ṣifr ‘cipher’.