: 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
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The attention attracts con artist Jacob (Robbie Allen), who sends three clumsy thieves led by Kodiak (Richmond) to steal the kangaroo and appease the wealthy Kathryn (Kinmont) and her ailing son.—William Earl, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026 For example, kangaroos can simultaneously nurture young at three stages of development.—Kevin Omland, The Conversation, 9 Feb. 2026 It’s made out of a thick, durable material and features a drop shoulder design and a kangaroo pocket.—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026 Not since the kangaroo has there been this staunch a proponent of the pouch.—Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for kangaroo
Word History
Etymology
Guugu Yimidhirr (Australian aboriginal language of northern Queensland) gaŋurru
: 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