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 carnivorous marsupials, also known as Australian hyenas, are native to the island of Tasmania, off the coast of mainland Australia. —Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025

The next two were the dodo, whose extinction was facilitated by the arrival of Dutch sailors, who brought various invasive species on their ships, and the thylacine, a marsupial with the face of a fox and the stripes of a zebra. —D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 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