Zero, written 0, is both a number and the numerical digit used to represent that number in numerals. It plays a central role in mathematics as the additive identity of the integers, real numbers, and many other algebraic structures. As a digit, 0 is used as a placeholder in place value systems. In the English language, 0 may be called zero, oh, null, nil, "o", zilch, zip, nada, or nought, depending on dialect and context.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero