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

Large animals like zebras require secure enclosures and enough space to move safely, both for their well-being and to prevent them from getting loose. —Richard Ramos, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026

While leopard and zebra prints are bona fide staples for maximalist moments, tortoiseshell patterns offer a subdued sophistication. —Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 13 Apr. 2026

Animal control officers guided the zebra onto a dead-end street to move it off public roads, Ingram said. —Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026

In 2023, a zebra that escaped from a Seoul zoo gained widespread attention after roaming city streets before being safely recaptured without injury. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 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