zero-basehttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zero-base_adj%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezero-base, adj.
Revised 2018

zero-baseadjective

Originally U.S.
  1. 1962–
    (Of a budget or budgeting) having each item costed anew, rather than in relation to its size or status in the previous budget; cf. ZBB n.
    1. 1962
      A revised system of reviewing budgetary needs—‘zero-base’ budgeting..is designed to facilitate a thorough analysis of the Department's total work program, produce a realistic appraisal of..work priorities, and result in the most effective use of personnel and other resources.
      Annual Rep. Joint Financial Management Improvem. Program ii. 23
    2. 1981
      There is nothing wrong with sunset or zero-base budgeting laws, except that they don't work.
      R. Freeman, Wayward Welfare State (1982) iii. 162
    3. 2014
      The incrementalism relating to the city department budgets should be replaced by a zero base budget.
      Brampton (Ontario) Guardian (Nexis) 19 September 1

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

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