zero-zerohttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zero-zero_adj%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezero-zero, adj. & n.
Revised 2018

zero-zeroadjective & noun

  1. adjective
    1. 1.
      Aeronautics.
      1. 1.a.
        1930–
        Of atmospheric conditions: characterized by or having both a zero cloud ceiling and zero (horizontal and vertical) visibility; (of a landing or other manoeuvre) carried out in such conditions. Also: designating visibility which is effectively zero in both horizontal and vertical directions.
        1. 1930
          The Boeing radio station here stated that Caldwell was flying in ‘zero zero’ weather, meaning there was neither ceiling nor visibility, and Caldwell could not see the ground when he landed.
          Greeley (Colorado) Daily Tribune 16 October 1/3
        2. 1947
          There are few greater nervous strains than that experienced by a pilot of a transport in deciding to switch over from instruments and manually bring the ship in these last few hundred feet when visibility is ‘zero-zero’.
          Shell Aviation News November 7/2
        3. 1967
          Category 3C represents visibility of less than 50 metres and includes ‘zero-zero’ conditions under which safety experts believe operations will not be possible for a very long time.
          Times Review of Industry June 53/1
        4. 2002
          This newest of Boeing 747s had the capability, and the trained crew, to make a zero-zero landing.
          H. L. Steele, Food Soldier ii. 77
      2. 1.b.
        1961–
        Designating an ejection seat that can eject a person safely even when the aircraft is on the ground and stationary (i.e. at zero altitude and zero velocity).
        1. 1961
          The most interesting item in the Martin-Baker Aircraft Co., Ltd., display..is the prototype rocket-assisted ‘zero-zero’ ejection seat for VTOL aircraft.
          Aeroplane vol. 100 593/2
        2. 1977
          They had explained to him the controls of his zero-zero ejection seat.
          P. Way, Super-Celeste 215
        3. 1996
          A seat lofts a pilot from an aircraft at zero forward speed and zero altitude (the so-called zero-zero seat) to an altitude at which the parachute can deploy safely.
          New Scientist 21 September 89/3
        4. 2009
          The unreliability of the T-40 engine and lack of an effective zero-zero ejection seat helped kill the turboprop ‘tail-sitter’.
          J. Winchester, World's Worst Aircraft (new edition) 22
    2. 2.
      1982–
      Designating a disarmament proposal for the total removal of certain types of weapons on both sides of a conflict or confrontation; spec. one put forward in the early 1980s for both the Soviet Union and the United States to remove all their medium-range nuclear missiles from Europe. Esp. in zero-zero option, zero-zero solution. Cf. zero option n.
      1. 1982
        The zero-zero solution remains the best arms control result.
        Statement to Press in Public Papers Presidents U.S.: R. Reagan (1984) 1610/2
      2. 1996
        The Soviets themselves also came around to..agreeing to the so-called zero-zero option on intermediate-range ballistic missiles.
        National Interest (Nexis) Summer
      3. 2015
        The Soviets rejected Reagan's zero-zero option, which made the president all the more determined to deploy the Pershing IIs.
        J. Meacham, Destiny & Power xxv. 285
  2. noun
    1. 1.
      1939–
      Aeronautics. Atmospheric conditions in which both the (horizontal and vertical) visibility and the cloud ceiling are effectively zero. Cf. sense A.1a.
      1. 1939
        Zero-zero (no visibility in any direction).
        J. C. Hixson & I. Colodny, Word Ways xvi. 141
      2. 1949
        When the visibility gets shorter than three miles, it means a quick shift to zero-zero is possible.
        Skyways August 51/1
      3. 1975
        There is no minimum forecast for a destination—it can call for zero-zero all day.
        Flying October 34/1
      4. 2003
        Landing in zero-zero is rarely attempted if there's wind and/or ice involved.
        M. Danford, Juneau, this is Echo 3 iv. 16
    2. 2.
      1986–
      A zero-zero disarmament proposal or option. See sense A.2.
      1. 1986
        At least four important shifts were signalled by Gorbachov during the summit... His opening bid had been to offer zero-zero in Europe, combined with a freeze at existing levels in Asia.
        Observer 19 October 10/3
      2. 2015
        The responses diverged, beginning with Secretary of State Alexander Haig, a former NATO Supreme Commander and opponent of zero-zero.
        S. F. Kraemer, Inside Cold War xi. 246

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

zero-zero, adj. & n. was revised in June 2018.

zero-zero, adj. & n. was last modified in July 2023.