zebra

noun

ze·​bra ˈzē-brə 

Canadian and British also ˈze-

plural zebras

1

plural also zebra : any of several swift African mammals (Equus grevyi, E. quagga, and E. zebra) related to the horse but distinctively and conspicuously patterned in stripes of black or dark brown and white or buff

2

[from the shirts patterned in black-and-white stripes worn by football referees] : referee sense 2

3

: zebra crossing

zebrine

ˈzē-ˌbrīn 

Canadian and British also ˈze-

adjective or noun

Examples of zebra in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Deer, zebra and tiger prints are a must, as well as oversized accessories like pendant necklaces. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 20 Jan. 2026

Most of the invasive mussels in Lake Michigan are quagga, which do not need to anchor to a hard surface like zebras do. —Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 20 Jan. 2026

These nude nails feature a swirly brown-and-cream French tip that looks like a more abstract take on zebra print. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 19 Jan. 2026

This large mammal walked on long, spindly limbs — almost like a modern ungulate, such as a horse or zebra — yet its legs ended in massive, hooked claws. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese zebra, zebro wild ass, perhaps from Latin equiferus, kind of wild horse, from equus horse + ferus wild — more at equine, fierce

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing zebra

• Grevy's zebra
• zebra crossing
• zebra finch
• zebra fish
• zebra mussel

Rhymes for zebra

• libra

Kids Definition

zebra

noun

ze·​bra ˈzēb-rə 

plural zebras also zebra

1

: any of several hoofed plant-eating African mammals that are related to the horse, have a hide striped in black or dark brown and white or buff, and are swift runners

2

: a small Indian fish with blue and silver stripes that is often kept in tropical aquariums