zebra

noun

ze·​bra ˈzē-brə How to pronounce zebra (audio)
 Canadian and British also  ˈze-
plural zebras
1
plural also zebra : any of several swift African mammals (Equus grevyi, E. quagga synonym E. burchelli, 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
zebrine
ˈzē-ˌbrīn How to pronounce zebra (audio)
 Canadian and British also  ˈze-
adjective or noun

Examples of zebra in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Despite its resemblance to a zebra thanks to its striped hindquarters – a likeness that originally duped scientists into classifying them as relatives of the zebra – the okapi shares evolutionary traits with its much taller and lankier cousin. Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024 Seconds later, the cheetahs burst into a small group of zebras. Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2024 African Plains exhibit features giraffes, lions, zebras and more. Michelle Jenkins, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024 The footage shows giraffes and zebra rampaging in their pens before the eclipse — a reaction Hartstone-Rose attributes to human anticipation of the impending eclipse. Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2024 In that case, a young male zebra named Sero escaped the Children’s Grand Park and ran alongside traffic and down narrow alleys until it was subdued with tranquilizers. Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 27 Mar. 2024 Phil Oh Zebra is the New Leopard The animal print of the season was zebra. Irene Kim, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2024 Dozens of species — zebra sharks, California condors and Komodo dragons — can reproduce asexually through parthenogenesis. Evan Bush, NBC News, 29 Feb. 2024 For one, Lady Valerie Meux, a banjo-playing music hall singer who married a British baronet, became a social sensation and quirky philanthropist, and was known to drive around London in a carriage pulled by a pair of zebras. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'zebra.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of zebra was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near zebra

Cite this Entry

“Zebra.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zebra. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

zebra

noun
ze·​bra ˈzēb-rə How to pronounce zebra (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on zebra

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