zero out

verb

zeroed out; zeroing out; zeroes out
US
1
: to reduce the amount of (something) to zero
Be sure to zero out the account before you switch banks.
2
: to remove (something) completely
This program will be zeroed out in the budget for next year.
New legislation will zero out further funding for the project.

Examples of zero out 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.
Both donations zeroed out the districts’ total lunch debt from the start of the 2025-2026 school year through April 30, 2026. Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2026 The hedge fund zeroed out of its stake of more than 376,000 shares in the social media giant during the three-month period, according to regulatory filings. Alex Harring, CNBC, 15 May 2026 But advocates say zeroing out the institute’s money would achieve a similar effect. Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026 For example, the NSF budget for social science research would be zeroed out; the NIH would lose both the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. ArsTechnica, 6 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for zero out

Cite this Entry

“Zero out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zero%20out. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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