zero-sumhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zero-sum_adj%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezero-sum, adj.
Revised 2018

zero-sumadjective

  1. 1.
    1944–
    In game theory: designating a game in which whatever is gained by one side is lost by the other, so that the net change is always zero. More generally: designating any situation in which an advantage to one participant necessarily leads to a disadvantage to one or more of the others. Esp. in zero-sum game.
    1. 1944
      An important viewpoint in classifying games is this: Is the sum of all payments received by all players (at the end of the game) always zero; or is this not the case?.. We shall call games of the first mentioned type zero-sum games.
      J. Von Neumann & O. Morgenstern, Theory of Games ii. 47
    2. 1957
      This is what may be called the ‘zero-sum’ concept; power, that is to say, is power over others. The power A has in a system is necessarily and by definition at the expense of B.
      World Politics vol. 10 139
    3. 1966
      Perhaps the contestants in most important games nowadays (from labour disputes..to international diplomacy) too readily regard their games as zero-sum.
      S. Beer, Decision & Control x. 210
    4. 1980
      In Europe [in the 1930s] class conflict was seen as a zero-sum game in which one group could only benefit at the expense of another.
      Times Literary Supplement 26 September 1072/2
    5. 2002
      Poker, in its most basic form, is a zero-sum game. Without a third party like a house or casino that charges a fee to play in the game, the total sum of money at the table remains constant.
      A. Bellin, Poker Nation ii. 19
  2. 2.
    1965–
    Of, relating to, or characteristic of zero-sum games or situations (see sense 1).
    1. 1965
      Riker's..book considers some phenomena, like military alliances, for which his zero-sum assumption is most inappropriate.
      M. Olson, Logic of Collective Action i. 40
    2. 1971
      C. Wright Mills..used a zero-sum conception of power (i.e., the more one person had the less was available to others).
      Times Literary Supplement 22 October 1335/3
    3. 1983
      Conditioned by the patriarchal, zero-sum notion of power, we are often tempted to view the skills and good fortunes of others in a competitive fashion.
      J. Macy, Despair & Personal Power ii. 32
    4. 2007
      We want a 21st Century partnership with Russia, but at times, Russia seems to think and act in the zero-sum terms of another era.
      Times of India 2 June 19/2

Originally published as part of the entry for zero, n. & adj.

zero-sum, adj. was revised in June 2018.

zero-sum, adj. was last modified in July 2023.