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

While her exact zebra design is on sale, sizes are selling fast. — Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 3 July 2026

Vast herds of zebra, wildebeest, and gazelle moved across the horizon. — Sherry McAllister, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

The idea for the exterior dressing of this specific car was to bring the intersection of those surfaces to the fore with the juxtaposition of black lines—first taped off by hand—to provide the abstract zebra-like pattern. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 30 June 2026

Oryx, springbok, and mountain zebras roam freely, and birds flit about in the low grasses. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 June 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