ZERO IN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does zero in mean? 

• ZERO IN (verb)
  The verb ZERO IN has 2 senses:

1. direct onto a point or target, especially by automatic navigational aids

2. adjust (as by firing under test conditions) the zero of (a gun)

  Familiarity information: ZERO IN used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ZERO IN (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Direct onto a point or target, especially by automatic navigational aids

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Synonyms:

home in; range in; zero in

Hypernyms (to "zero in" is one way to...):

aim; direct; place; point; target (intend (something) to move towards a certain goal)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Sense 2

Meaning:

Adjust (as by firing under test conditions) the zero of (a gun)

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

zero; zero in

Context example:

He zeroed in his rifle at 200 yards

Hypernyms (to "zero in" is one way to...):

adjust; correct; set (alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

 Context examples 

Mosquitoes have an amazing ability to zero in on us from afar and head straight for our bare skin.

(How mosquitoes detect people, NIH)

The study appears in the latest issue of The Journal of the America Medical Association and could be an effective ground zero in the fight against the current opioid epidemic.

(Study: Common Painkillers as Effective as Opioids in Hospital Emergency Room, VOA)