zebra crossing

American  

[zee-bruh kraw-sing, kros-ing, zeb-ruh] / ˈzi brə ˌkrɔ sɪŋ, ˈkrɒs ɪŋ, ˈzɛb rə /

noun

British.

1. a crosswalk marked with white stripes.

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zebra crossing British  

noun

1. a pedestrian crossing marked on a road by broad alternate black and white stripes. Once on the crossing the pedestrian has right of way

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Etymology

Origin of zebra crossing

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

A mum whose daughter was killed after being hit by a car at a zebra crossing is calling for tougher sentences after learning that the driver responsible was released after six months.

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2026

The trio even recreated the Beatles’ “Abbey Road” album cover — only trading the zebra crossing in London for New York.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 14, 2023

A man living near a zebra crossing which went viral on social media after a spate of crashes has appealed for help, saying he fears someone will "die on my doorstep".

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2022

"It's a lovely evening," he writes, "and as I make for the station the first teenagers of spring are gathering, waiting for their turn on the zebra crossing."

From Salon • Oct. 8, 2022

The Government never paid for Sophie Mol’s funeral because she wasn’t killed on a zebra crossing.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy