The term "Zephyr", when used by itself, can refer to:

• a wind, usually the west wind
• the Greek god of the west wind
• Zephyr protocol for instant messaging
• a rock band called Zephyr (there is also another rock band called Ben Zephyr )
• a song called 'The Zephyr Song' by the band Red Hot Chili Peppers, on the album 'By the Way'
• a chess engine, Zephyr
• a Chicago-based 3D & multimedia company
• the Lincoln Zephyr automobile
• the Ader Avion II early aircraft design
• a model of motorcycle called the Kawasaki Zephyr
• the Zephyr flower, whose scientific name is Zephyranthes candida
• a well known graffiti artist from NYC named Zephyr
• The Zephyr was a popular alternative rock station in New Orleans.

The name Zephyr was also applied to a line of streamliner trains operated by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (Burlington), beginning with the Pioneer Zephyr in 1934. A Nebraska Zephyr trainset is operable at the Illinois Railway Museum at Union, Illinois. The California Zephyr is an Amtrak route beteween Chicago and Los Angeles. The Minnesota Zephyr , an elegant dining train located in the historic city of Stillwater, Minnesota, is not associated with the historic Burlington Zephyr fleet.