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

For years, kangaroo paws (Anigozanthos species) have been a major disappointment in the garden. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2026

At one point in the video, the Mirrorball trophy holders can be seen sitting in a grassy area with a young kangaroo. —Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026

Under current state law, many exotic animals are banned from private possession, including many types of primates, bears, alligators, kangaroos, coyotes, wolves and several types of venomous reptiles. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026

Marland's friend Stacy, who works on the farm and is close with the animals, gingerly approached the kangaroo and knelt. —Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 1 Apr. 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