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

Matschie’s tree kangaroos are an endangered species, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). —Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025

This sweatsuit is made out of thick, ultra-plush fleece fabric and features an oversized hooded sweatshirt with a large kangaroo pouch perfect for snuggling up in on flights. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025

To play, kids must mimic silly animal poses, while Bluey uses a Magic Asparagus to turn her family into different creatures—like chickens and kangaroos. —Annabelle Canela, Parents, 7 Oct. 2025

Aptly named, the zoo has a kangaroos and emus as well as a young capybara, according to a Facebook post. —Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 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