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

Paintings of rhino, zebra, gemsbok, stick-figure people and more parade before our eyes—image after image, some big, some small, some clear and others just faint outlines or shadows. —Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025

Researchers in Palm Beach County are trying to figure out if patterns, such as stripes on a zebra, affect how lions chase prey. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2025

When driving through the safari park, visitors are greeted by giraffes, llamas, and zebras from the comfort of their vehicle. —Alex Perry, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

The Texas animal wranglers scooped the zebra into a net and airlifted him to a waiting trailer. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 8 June 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