net-zero

adjective

net-ze·​ro ˈnet-ˈzē-(ˌ)rō How to pronounce net-zero (audio)
-ˈzir-(ˌ)ō
: resulting in neither a surplus nor a deficit of something specified when gains and losses are added together
net-zero carbon emissions
The General Services Administration has sealed an unusual deal to guarantee achievement of net-zero energy consumption in a federal facility …Charles S. Clark
especially, of buildings : producing enough energy (as through solar panels or passive heating) to offset any energy consumed
By 2020 all new homes built in California will have to be net-zero buildings that produce enough power to offset all their energy needs … K. Kaufmann
Another affordable, net-zero house is under construction in North Minneapolis, and a third is in development at the school. John Cary

Examples of net-zero in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cambodia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), created in compliance with the Paris Agreement 2015, necessitate reaching net-zero Carbon Emissions with 60% of its Forest Cover, by 2050. Suwanna Gauntlett, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 Denver's Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency estimates that commercial buildings and homes represent more than 60 percent of the city's total emissions, and the goal is to have all new buildings achieve net-zero energy by 2030. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025 According to expert estimates, India needs to spend around $100 billion per year, or 2.8% of current nominal GDP, to achieve net-zero power sector emissions by 2070. Radhika Kak, Independent Researcher At Harvard Business School and Varad Pande, Partner At Bcg, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025 The Naperville District 203 School Board will vote on a carbon action plan later this month that would significantly cut its greenhouse gas emissions in the next 10 years and reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for net-zero

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of net-zero was in 1936

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Net-zero.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/net-zero. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!