zebra

noun

ze·​bra ˈzē-brə How to pronounce zebra (audio)
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 How to pronounce zebra (audio)
Canadian and British also ˈze-
adjective or noun

Examples of zebra in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The same would be true with a leopard- or zebra-print moment. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2026 NielsenIQ data cited by Food and Wine shows 47% of on-premise visitors already engage in zebra striping, and 93% of consumers buying non-alcoholic beer, wine and spirits are also purchasing traditional alcoholic products. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 24 Aug. 2026 How zebra striping works The method is exactly what the name suggests. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026 There are many exotic animals there, including zebra, camels, and lamas, all visible from the freeway. — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for zebra

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of zebra was in 1597

Phrases Containing zebra

Rhymes for zebra

See All Rhymes for zebra

Browse Nearby Words

zeaxanthin
zebra
zebra antelope
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Zebra.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zebra. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

zebra

noun
ze·​bra ˈzēb-rə How to pronounce zebra (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on zebra

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about zebra

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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