kangaroo

noun

kan·​ga·​roo ˌkaŋ-gə-ˈrü 

plural kangaroos

: any of various herbivorous leaping marsupial mammals (family Macropodidae) of Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent islands with a small head, large ears, long powerful hind legs, a long thick tail used as a support and in balancing, and rather small forelegs not used in locomotion

Illustration of kangaroo

Examples of kangaroo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To make transporting things even easier, the cooler features a comfy shoulder strap and exterior kangaroo pocket to keep all your essentials within reach. —Kayla Kitts, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025

The kangaroo’s name is Sheila, the animal’s owner Patrick Starr, told the Associated Press. —Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 30 Apr. 2025

In addition to the lions, the couple also posed with kangaroos and goats on their big day. —Rachel McRady, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Other unusual animals that can be legally owned in the state include ferrets and chinchillas, llamas, alpacas, giraffes, bison, antelopes and marsupials like kangaroos. —Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 9 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Guugu Yimidhirr (Australian aboriginal language of northern Queensland) gaŋurru

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing kangaroo

• kangaroo court
• kangaroo rat
• red kangaroo

Rhymes for kangaroo

• amadou
• avenue
• ballyhoo
• baraboo
• barbecue
• barbeque
• bugaboo
• cabildo
• caribou
• cockatoo
• detinue
• devalue

Kids Definition

kangaroo

noun

kan·​ga·​roo ˌkaŋ-gə-ˈrü 

plural kangaroos

: any of numerous leaping marsupial mammals of Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent islands that feed on plants and have a small head, long powerful hind legs, a long thick tail used as a support in standing or walking, and in the female a pouch on the abdomen in which the young are carried