000

See also: 0-0-0 and ooo

Translingual

Symbol

000

1. Used to indicate a size that is smaller or larger than 00

   The precision screwdriver set includes size 0, 00, and 000 Phillips head.

   0000 is meant for newborns but if your baby is not too small at birth, you can start with size 000 singlets.

   000 capsules are too large to swallow, but are used for medication to be mixed with a liquid.

See also

• 0
• 00
• 0000

English

Etymology

A variant of the British 999, originally selected as an appropriate number for rotary-dial telephones and adapted in Australia because of the need to dial an initial 0 from remote exchanges to connect to the main trunk lines.

Pronunciation

• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /trɪpəl.əʊ/, /trɪpəl.zɪə.ɹəʊ/, /trɪpəl.zɛd/

Proper noun

000

1. The telephone number for emergency services in Australia. [1961]

   When you call 000, the Telstra operator usually answers the phone with "Emergency. Police, fire, or ambulance?"

Usage notes

Australia also operates 106 as an emergency number for the deaf and 112 as an emergency number for mobile phones.

Synonyms

• Triple O, Triple Zero, 000 Emergency

Coordinate terms

• (Mongolia) 105
• (China, Iran) 110
• (New Zealand) 111
• (European Union) 112
• (Japan, South Korea) 119
• (North America) 911
• (UK, Ireland) 999