Phrase guide

year zero

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

a non-existing (but often assumed) year in between 1 BCE/BC and 1 CE/AD

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: literally, uncountable

Examples

  • The new millennium only began in 2001 because there is no year zero!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

the beginning of the Common Era/Christian Era

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, uncountable

Examples

  • What was life in Rome like around the year zero?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.