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

In addition to African Lions, Safari World is home to an abundance of wildlife, including African elephants, Bengal tigers, giraffes, and zebras. —Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025

Wildlife Lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants, rhino, hyaenas, cheetah, giraffe, zebras and the famous wildebeest migration can all be seen in Kenya and Tanzania. —Kent Redding, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 2025

Earlier in the year, between May and July, when the wildebeest have migrated out of the park, clear skies and cooler temperatures at Liuwa make for excellent conditions for viewing game such as zebras, wildebeest, red lechwe, lions, hyena, and abundant birdlife. —Mazuba Kapambwe, AFAR Media, 10 Sep. 2025

In Botswana, zebra herds follow ancient routes between the Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi Pans, and Nxai Pan from November to April. —Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

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