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

At the time of the escape, the kangaroo was carrying her baby, known as a joey. —Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026

The hoodie’s kangaroo-style pocket is perfect for stashing your phone, headphones, and other small essentials. —Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026

Other comments suggested this wasn’t the first time a kangaroo had been spotted jumping around the neighborhood. —Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026

Mobs of kangaroos and wallabies are easy to spot lounging in open fields during golden hours. —Laura Kiniry, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 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