subzero

adjective

sub·​ze·​ro ˌsəb-ˈzē-(ˌ)rō 

-ˈzir-(ˌ)ō

variants or sub-zero

1

: registering less than zero on some scale (especially the Fahrenheit scale)

subzero temperatures

2

: characterized by or suitable for subzero temperatures

subzero winters

sub-zero snow boots

Here the altitude was almost a mile and a half above sea level and there was already hard frost in the mornings. With the first storm, the mornings would be subzero.

—Tony Hillerman

Examples of subzero in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Arctic air will blast across the the Midwest with subzero wind chill temperatures and stiff northwesterly winds, AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said. —Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024

Vladislav Duda, 28, was rescued from a mountain ravine in subzero temperatures alongside his months-old kitten Peach. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

One shopper noted that the pants even kept them warm while running in subzero temperatures. —Gabriella Maestri, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2024

Some states are expected to be hit with snowfall likely to impact travel, while subzero temperatures in other regions could expose residents to health hazards like frostbite. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

subzero

adjective

sub·​ze·​ro

ˌsəb-ˈzē-rō

: being or marked by temperature below zero