koala

noun

ko·​ala kə-ˈwä-lə 

kō-ˈä-

: an Australian arboreal marsupial (Phascolarctos cinereus) that has a broad head, large hairy ears, dense gray fur, and sharp claws and feeds on eucalyptus leaves

called also koala bear

Illustration of koala

Examples of koala in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sam Phillips, a senior researcher at the UniSC, said the vaccine has been tested on hundreds of wild koalas and koalas in captivity. —Chandelis Duster, NPR, 14 Sep. 2025

In addition, baby koalas — known as joeys — can catch the disease from their mothers. —Amy Woodyatt, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025

Eight miles from South Australia, Kangaroo Island is a nature haven with abundant wildlife, including kangaroos, sea lions, koalas, wallabies and echidnas. —Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

Baby koalas, or joeys, can also catch the disease by feeding in their mother’s pouch. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Dharuk (Australian aboriginal language of the Port Jackson area) gula, gulawanʸ

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for koala

• cabala
• corolla
• impala
• kabbalah
• kamala
• masala
• oglala
• allah
• bala
• cala
• cholla
• mala

Kids Definition

koala

noun

ko·​ala kō-ˈäl-ə 

kə-ˈwäl-ə

: an Australian tree-dwelling marsupial mammal that has large hairy ears, thick gray fur, sharp claws for climbing, and no tail and feeds on eucalyptus leaves

called also koala bear