koala

noun

ko·​ala kə-ˈwä-lə How to pronounce koala (audio)
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

Illustration of koala

Examples of koala in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The koala was inside the store for about 10 minutes, pausing for an extended period of time by the fridges, Arthur told 9News. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2025 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 While the vaccine is exciting, the other factors driving koalas to extinction must be addressed. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for koala

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of koala was in 1802

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Koala.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/koala. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

koala

noun
ko·​ala kō-ˈäl-ə How to pronounce koala (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on koala

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