A dielectric ceramic composition in a multilayer ceramic capacitor with a composition of formula: {[(CaO).sub.t(SrO).sub.1-t].sub.m[(ZrO.sub.2).sub.v(TiO.sub.2).sub.1-v]}.- sub.1-s-xA.sub.sE.sub.x wherein: A is a transition metal oxide; E is an oxide of an element selected from the group consisting of Ge, Si, Ga and combinations thereof; m is 0.98 to 1.02; t is 0.50 to 0.90; v is 0.8 to 1.0; s and x are selected from the group consisting of: a) 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.08, 0.0001.ltoreq.s.ltoreq.0.043 and x.gtoreq.1.86s; and b) 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.0533, 0.0001.ltoreq.s.ltoreq.0.08 and x.ltoreq.0.667s.