SKIP TO CONTENT

zebu

/ˌziˈbu/
IPA guide

Other forms: zebus

In India, a common species of farmed animal is the zebu, an ox-like bovine that's also known as "humped cattle."

If you see a zebu, you'll know it by the large hump on its back and flap of skin, or dewlap, hanging from its neck. They're useful domestic cattle, commonly raised for milk on the Indian subcontinent, as well as for meat and as draft animals, pulling plows or carts on farms. The word zebu comes from the French, with a Tibetan root.

Definitions of zebu
  1. noun
    domesticated ox having a humped back and long horns and a large dewlap; used chiefly as a draft animal in India and east Asia
    see moresee less
    type of:
    Bos indicus, Brahma, Brahman, Brahmin
    any of several breeds of Indian cattle; especially a large American heat and tick resistant greyish humped breed evolved in the Gulf States by interbreeding Indian cattle and now used chiefly for crossbreeding
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘zebu'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family