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

In addition to side pockets, this overall set has a kangaroo pocket in front, so there’s plenty of room to store other summer essentials, like SPF lip balm, in addition to basics like a phone and a debit card. —Terri Peters, Parents, 26 Aug. 2025

The front of the sweatshirt even has a large kangaroo pocket, which any avid traveler knows, is the best place to store snacks on the go. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2025

Lions, bears, wolves, orangutans, kangaroos and many other species faced Russian shells exploding around them and animals possibly in the hundreds were reportedly killed, as well as three zoo workers who stayed behind to feed their charges. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2025

Half zip closures and kangaroo pockets maintain the garment’s sporty vibe. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 6 Aug. 2025

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