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

For the less daring design devotees, perhaps zebra wood furniture could be your new fix? —Sydney Gore, Architectural Digest, 27 Feb. 2025

The model and actress can also be seen lounging on a zebra skin, straddling a black marble panther, and flaunting dramatic pagoda shoulders in a red pantsuit that nearly matches her lipstick. —Miles Socha, WWD, 20 Feb. 2025

The commercial shows slow-motion footage of a horse near the out-of-bounds line, followed by a humorous replay scene with a zebra with its head in a booth. —Todd Holmes, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025

The outlet also reported that the staff member claimed a sign on site also indicated the animal was a donkey and not a zebra. —Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 15 Feb. 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