koala

noun

ko·​ala kə-ˈwä-lə 

kō-ˈä-

: an Australian arboreal marsupial (Phascolarctos cinereus) that has a broad head, large hairy ears, dense gray fur, and sharp claws and feeds on eucalyptus leaves

called also koala bear

Illustration of koala

Examples of koala in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their oldest son, Shai, dressed as a container of Vegemite with their 16-month-old son Rio dressed as a koala. —Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024

The eucalyptus tree is native to Australia and provides food and shelter to koalas, among other wildlife. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 8 Oct. 2024

The koala surfing, the fire-dancer twirling, the child flying a kite—everything looks superficially convincing. —Gerui Wang, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024

Knights does not recommend people attempt to catch a koala. —Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 28 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Dharuk (Australian aboriginal language of the Port Jackson area) gula, gulawanʸ

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

koala

noun

ko·​ala kō-ˈäl-ə 

kə-ˈwäl-ə

: an Australian tree-dwelling marsupial mammal that has large hairy ears, thick gray fur, sharp claws for climbing, and no tail and feeds on eucalyptus leaves

called also koala bear