year zero

noun

1. the beginning (1975) of the period during which Cambodia was under the control of the Khmer Rouge
2. the beginning of revolutionary change
3. the beginning of any new system or regime

Word History and Origins

Origin of year zero¹

C20: by analogy with Year One of the French Revolutionary calendar

Example Sentences

The students graduating from four-year colleges and universities this month began their studies, for the most part, in Pandemic Year Zero.

From New York Times

He won an International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences award for his 1979 film “Year Zero: The Silent Death Of Cambodia,” which revealed the extent of the Khmer Rouge’s atrocities.

From Seattle Times

He won an International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences award for his 1979 film “Year Zero: The Silent Death Of Cambodia,” which revealed the extent of the Khmer Rouge’s atrocities.

From Washington Times

Since the end of that 2009 season when the future looked so bright, there had been five losing seasons and, until this year, zero conference titles.

From Washington Times

In the alt-right timescape, as scholar Alexandra Minna Stern argues, 1965 is like year zero for white supremacists.

From Slate