zebra

noun ze·bra \ˈzē-brə, Canada & British also ˈze-\

: an African animal that looks like a horse and has black and white stripes covering its body

plural zebras

Full Definition of ZEBRA

plural also zebra : any of several fleet African mammals (Equus burchelli, E. grevyi, and E. zebra) related to the horse but distinctively and conspicuously patterned in stripes of black or dark brown and white or buff

[from the shirts patterned in black-and-white stripes worn by football referees] : referee 2

: zebra crossing

— ze·brine \-ˌbrīn\ adjective or noun

See zebra defined for English-language learners

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Origin of ZEBRA

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: 1600

Other Mammals Terms

dormouse, dugong, gibbon, grimalkin, sable, stoat, ungulate, vole

ZEBRA Defined for Kids

zebra

noun ze·bra \ˈzē-brə\

Definition of ZEBRA for Kids

: an African animal that is related to the horse and has a hide striped in black and white or black and buff

Learn More About ZEBRA

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "zebra"

Nglish: Translation of "zebra" for Spanish speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "zebra"

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