Tasmanian tiger

noun

: a somewhat doglike carnivorous marsupial (Thylacinus cynocephalus) that formerly inhabited Tasmania but is now considered extinct

called also Tasmanian wolf, thylacine

Illustration of Tasmanian tiger

Illustration of tasmanian tiger

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Tasmanian tiger was circa 1891

Dictionary Entries Near Tasmanian tiger

Cite this Entry

“Tasmanian tiger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Tasmanian%20tiger. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on Tasmanian tiger

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!