marsupial

1 of 2

noun

mar·​su·​pi·​al mär-ˈsü-pē-əl How to pronounce marsupial (audio)
: any of an order (Marsupialia) of mammals comprising kangaroos, wombats, bandicoots, opossums, and related animals that do not develop a true placenta and that usually have a pouch on the abdomen of the female which covers the teats and serves to carry the young

marsupial

2 of 2

adjective

1
: of, relating to, or being a marsupial
2
: of, relating to, or forming a marsupium

Examples of marsupial 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.
Noun
These marsupials are small possums native to Australia and New Guinea that are kept as kept as pets all over the world. Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024 The small, mouse-like marsupial’s genome will be edited to resemble the Tasmanian tiger genome, and its eggs are intended to host the edited nucleus. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Michael Jordan jumped a lot (was somewhat of a jump man, some would say), and never had a marsupial injury. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2024 Koalas are not bears at all but part of the marsupial family. Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for marsupial 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

from the base of New Latin Marsupialia, order name, from neuter plural of marsūpiālis "of a pouch," from marsūpium "pouch, marsupium" + -ālis -al entry 1

Adjective

borrowed from New Latin marsūpiālis — more at marsupial entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1805, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of marsupial was in 1805

Dictionary Entries Near marsupial

Cite this Entry

“Marsupial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marsupial. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

marsupial

1 of 2 adjective
mar·​su·​pi·​al mär-ˈsü-pē-əl How to pronounce marsupial (audio)
: of, relating to, or being a marsupial

marsupial

2 of 2 noun
: any of an order of mammals (as kangaroos and opossums) that have a pouch on the abdomen of the female containing the teats and serving to carry the young

More from Merriam-Webster on marsupial

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