zebra

American  

[zee-bruh, zeb-ruh] / ˈzi brə, ˈzɛb rə /

noun

plural

zebras,

plural

zebra

1. any of several horselike African mammals of the genus Equus, each species having a characteristic pattern of black or dark-brown stripes on a whitish background: all zebra species are threatened or endangered.

2. Also called zebra butterfly.  a tropical butterfly, Heliconius charithonius, having black wings barred with yellow.

3. (initial capital letter) a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter Z.

4. Football Slang. an official, who usually wears a black and white striped shirt.

5. British. zebra crossing.

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Zebra ¹ British  

/ ˈzɛbrə, ˈziːbrə /

noun

1. a noninterest-paying bond in which the accrued income is taxed annually rather than on redemption Compare zero

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zebra ² British  

/ ˈzɛb-, ˈziːbraɪn, ˈzɛbrə, zɪˈbreɪɪk, ˈziːbrə /

noun

1. any of several mammals of the horse family ( Equidae ), such as Equus burchelli (the common zebra ), of southern and eastern Africa, having distinctive black-and-white striped hides

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Other Word Forms

• zebra-like adjective
• zebraic adjective
• zebralike adjective
• zebrine adjective

Etymology

Origin of zebra

1590–1600; 1975–80 zebra for def. 4; < Portuguese zebra, zebro the Iberian wild ass ( Spanish cebra ), perhaps < Latin equiferus (Pliny) kind of wild horse, equivalent to equi- (combining form of equus horse) + ferus wild

Example Sentences

In 2024, a theoretical astrophysicist at the University of Kansas proposed a solution that explained much of this unusual "zebra" pattern.

From Science Daily

Tansy and Aunt Maud had been canning preserves out of the last of the green zebra tomatoes.

From Literature

The winners of last year's Ig Nobels included scientists who painted zebra stripes on cows to fend off flies and others who showed how drinking alcohol can help people speak a foreign language.

From Barron's

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

The living room of one cabin was decorated with exotic animal heads on the wall, including a zebra.

From Los Angeles Times