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

Two koalas tussle in Toohey Forest, Brisbane, June 5, 2024. —Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 28 Sep. 2024

More:James Taylor talks koalas, the 'gravitational attraction' of touring and Taylor Swift 75. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 9 May 2024

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

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