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 synonym E. burchelli, 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
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 The op art movement is palpable in the shoe with its kaleidoscope pattern of graphic and leather stripes, as well as the zebra print, Felloni’s nod to visual optics in play. Allyson Portee, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2024 Circus Trucks Crashes and Overturns in Spain Killing 1 Elephant and Injuring 4 More Photos and video from the rescue shared on Facebook by the Grant County Sheriff's Office show the smoking trailer and zebras and camels walking near the side of the interstate with officers watching nearby. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 29 Jan. 2024 How did camels and zebras wind up on an Indiana highway? Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2024 The team studied lion and zebra activity in areas with and without big-headed ants. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 25 Jan. 2024 But zebra, tiger, and cow patterns are also worth trying—and now, thanks to Blake Lively, we're inspired to try a giraffe pattern too. Lea Hüttinger, Glamour, 14 Feb. 2024 Will an elite sprinter beat a zebra in the 100-meter dash — Man vs. Beast may be Darnell’s most elegantly stupid creation. EW.com, 15 Feb. 2024 Killing a zebra takes one or two lions; killing a buffalo takes between five and 10, Goheen said. Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2024 In total, the researchers documented 55 different instances where lions killed zebras within the preserve. Popular Science, 25 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'zebra.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near zebra

Cite this Entry

“Zebra.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zebra. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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

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