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
Tony HillermanExamples of subzero in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Listen to this article The Chicago area will see bitterly cold weather this week with single-digit temperatures and subzero wind chills, according to the National Weather Service.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
As is typical, the coldest weather will be over the northern Plains and upper Midwest, where some spots may see subzero high temperatures next Sunday and Monday.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
But scientists tracking polar bears in the Arctic face more extreme hurdles: subzero temperatures, hard-to-reach locations, and a changing landscape that can make the bears hard to find and follow.
—Bygennaro Tomma, science.org, 27 Feb. 2025
Rescuers working in subzero conditions and bracing winds searched the rubble on Wednesday after a strong quake in Tibet toppled thousands of houses in a remote area near the northern foothills of Mount Everest.
—Tiffany May, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subzero
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.
Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
As is typical, the coldest weather will be over the northern Plains and upper Midwest, where some spots may see subzero high temperatures next Sunday and Monday.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
But scientists tracking polar bears in the Arctic face more extreme hurdles: subzero temperatures, hard-to-reach locations, and a changing landscape that can make the bears hard to find and follow.
—Bygennaro Tomma, science.org, 27 Feb. 2025
Rescuers working in subzero conditions and bracing winds searched the rubble on Wednesday after a strong quake in Tibet toppled thousands of houses in a remote area near the northern foothills of Mount Everest.
—Tiffany May, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subzero
Cite this Entry
“Subzero.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subzero. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share