zeta

noun

ze·​ta ˈzā-tə How to pronounce zeta (audio)
ˈzē-
: the 6th letter of the Greek alphabet see Alphabet Table

Examples of zeta in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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For decades, Sarnak has argued that mathematicians should approach the Riemann hypothesis by considering the zeta function as just one member of a broader family of functions, and then proving statements about that family. — Quanta Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026 If anyone can reconstruct Apéry’s reasoning, the odd values of zeta may finally be proven irrational. — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026 The zeta function lives in the complex plane and is tied to oscillating sums/products; small analytical gaps can ruin a proof. — John Werner, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026 Stable dispersions lasted for up to a month, supported by strong negative zeta potentials in both water and ethanol. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 20 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for zeta

Word History

Etymology

Greek zēta

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of zeta was in the 15th century

Rhymes for zeta

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Browse Nearby Words

zesty
zeta
zeta potential
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Cite this Entry

“Zeta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zeta. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

zeta

noun
ze·​ta ˈzāt-ə How to pronounce zeta (audio)
: the sixth letter of the Greek alphabet
—Ζ or ζ
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