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

Humanoid moths and demon babies, hitchhiking ghouls, the occasional sea monster and even a suspicious phantom kangaroo or two. — Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026

Plus, a hidden phone sleeve inside the kangaroo pocket keeps her essentials handy for errands and coffee runs. — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2026

The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium celebrated World Kangaroo Day by announcing the birth of two new joeys, or baby kangaroos, at the zoo this year. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026

The neon kangaroo flickered, releasing a rhythmic, neon buzz. — Larry Padgett, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

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