z

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈzē

Canadian, British, and Australian

ˈzed

chiefly dialectal

ˈi-zərd

plural z's or zs

often capitalized, often attributive

: the 26th and last letter of the English alphabet

: a graphic representation of this letter

: a speech counterpart of orthographic z

: a graphic device for reproducing the letter z

: one designated z especially as the 26th in order or class or the third in order or class when x is made the first

: something shaped like the letter Z

: wink sense 1

—usually used in plural

catch some z's before dinner

2 of 4

abbreviation (1)

zero

zone

3 of 4

noun (2)

: z particle

4 of 4

abbreviation (2)

variants or ZD

zenith distance

Example Sentences

Noun (1) a word that begins with a z a word that begins with z

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of z was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

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When each letter can be seen but not heard

Absent Letters That Are Heard Anyway

They aren't seen but they are heard

Words We're Watching: 'Zoomer'

What to call Gen Z

Cite this Entry

Style

“Z.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/z. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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Kids Definition

noun

ˈzē,

British & Canadian ˈzed

plural z's or zs

often capitalized

: the 26th and last letter of the English alphabet

: a brief nap

catch some z's before dinner

Medical Definition

symbol

atomic number

impedance

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