zebra
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.
Also called ze·bra but·ter·fly. a tropical butterfly, Heliconius charithonius, having black wings barred with yellow.
(initial capital letter) a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter Z.
Football Slang. an official, who usually wears a black and white striped shirt.
British. zebra crossing.
Origin of zebra
1Other words from zebra
- ze·bra·like, ze·bra·ic [zi-brey-ik], /zɪˈbreɪ ɪk/, adjective
Words Nearby zebra
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use zebra in a sentence
Local news has reported that the zebras were let loose on Saturday or Sunday of last weekend, a period of time during which I was enjoying quiet time at home with family.
D.C. Congresswoman Swears She Didn’t Let a Pack of Zebras Loose | Corbin Bolies | September 10, 2021 | The Daily BeastTaylor said it could take as long as a week for the zebras to be caught.
Zebras run wild after escape from a Maryland farm | Dana Hedgpeth | September 9, 2021 | Washington PostThey’re like zebras on high alert for predators, sniffing for danger in the wind before tentatively lowering their heads to take a sip.
The Intersection Is a City’s Watering Hole, and It’s Teeming with Life and Danger | wtaylor | August 20, 2021 | Outside OnlineThat’s half the speed of a galloping zebra or antelope or leopard or lion.
It wasn’t Diana Ross, who I loved, who was an early influence on me, but my mom, she’s the first woman I saw with dolman sleeves and a zebra print.
Animal prints abounded: snakeskin booties, leopard-print hot pants, zebra-printed flamingo skirts.
Glo-Fish, the neon fluorescent zebra fish, were the first genetically altered organisms to be sold as pets.
Nine Things You Should Know About Genetically Modified Organisms | Melissa Leon | March 10, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThey are pointy, zebra-striped Nike Cole Haans with silver buckles strapped onto her two shiny titanium carbon fiber legs.
Tammy Duckworth on Gun Control, Women in Combat | Sandra McElwaine | February 9, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTBlanco also says that, like zebra Katz, Le1f is about to experience a crossover.
Too Gay for Hip-Hop? Le1f Takes On Traditionally Homophobic Genre | Melissa Leon | August 10, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTIn a really, really short zebra-striped dress and five-inch do-me pumps.
In an occasional horse the long-lost stripes of the zebra-like ancestor reappear.
Man And His Ancestor | Charles MorrisNo fence will keep out a herd of zebra, and in one rush a field of grain is ruined by these giant herds.
In Africa | John T. McCutcheonThat regular variety of the climate of the zebra has never been exhibited by either of them.
Buffon's Natural History. Volume VIII (of 10) | Georges Louis Leclerc de BuffonThat night two of us heard the first bark of the zebra, and we thought it must be the bark of distant dogs.
In Africa | John T. McCutcheonIf the horse is the source, or principal trunk, the zebra and the ass will be collateral branches.
Buffon's Natural History. Volume IX (of 10) | Georges Louis Leclerc de Buffon
British Dictionary definitions for zebra (1 of 2)
/ (ˈziːbrə, ˈzɛbrə) /
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
Origin of zebra
1Derived forms of zebra
- zebra-like or zebraic (zɪˈbreɪɪk), adjective
- zebrine (ˈziːbraɪn, ˈzɛb-) or zebroid, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for Zebra (2 of 2)
/ (ˈziːbrə, ˈzɛbrə) /
a noninterest-paying bond in which the accrued income is taxed annually rather than on redemption: Compare zero (def. 12)
Origin of Zebra
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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