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

Northern and southern marsupial moles are so rare that a sighting in the wild can make headlines, as people marvel over its lush golden fur and flipper-like front feet. —Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 2 Jan. 2025

But within this unforgiving landscape, made famous by Steve Irwin’s Crocodile Hunter, are braids of rivers, bouncing marsupials, rolling mountains, ancient reptiles, coastal cliffs dwarfing California’s Big Sur, and the oldest continuous living culture in the world, all ready to be explored. —Dalton Johnson, Robb Report, 21 Jan. 2025

Adjective

While the eastern grey kangaroos used in this trial are not endangered, many of Australia’s marsupial species are, including koalas and Tasmanian devils. —Eric Cheung, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025

The research will help scientists learn more about how marsupial embryos grow because the class reproduces differently compared to other mammals. —Astha Rajvanshi, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025

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