marsupial

1 of 2

noun

mar·​su·​pi·​al mär-ˈsü-pē-əl 

: 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

Noun

The benefit of a placenta is shown by the fact that today there are around 5,000 placental mammals versus 334 marsupials. —Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 19 July 2025

American tourist causes international outrage after posting wombat video A social media influencer named Sam Jones recently went viral for picking up a baby wombat and taking it away from its mother, before eventually letting the young marsupial go. —Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2025

Adjective

Scientists don't know much about how a marsupial mole makes its way in life, or how these moles have evolved over time. —Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 2 Jan. 2025

Part of the marsupial family, Quokkas have a permanent grin. —Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024

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

Kids Definition

marsupial

1 of 2 adjective

mar·​su·​pi·​al mär-ˈsü-pē-əl 

: 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