z-axis

[ zee-ak-sis ]

noun

, Mathematics.

, plural z-ax·es [zee, -ak-seez].

1. (in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system) the axis along which values of z are measured and at which both x and y equal zero.

z-axis

noun

1. a reference axis of a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system along which the z- coordinate is measured

z-axis

/ zē′ăk′sĭs /

1. One of the three axes of a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system.

Word History and Origins

Origin of z-axis¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

A dreamy undated watercolor by Charles Lamb is just one example of the many times people have imagined the Cartesian street grid continuing up a z-axis to connect mammoth buildings with aerial walkways.

From New York Times

To represent equations involving three unknowns x, y, z, a third axis is introduced, the z-axis, perpendicular to the plane xy and passing through the intersection of the lines x, y.

From Project Gutenberg