The zeroth law of thermodynamics states that any two systems, call them A and B, that are each in thermal equilibrium with a third system, call it C, must be in thermal equilibrium with each other. Thermal equilibrium implies that the systems must have the same temperature, and therefore systems A and B must have the same temperature. This might seem totally obvious, but it is what puts our use of thermometers to compare the temperatures of different objects on a sound footing. If object C is our thermometer, we can use it to compare the temperatures of other objects.