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

According to the team, this could be a big leap towards preventing other marsupials from going extinct. —Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 6 Feb. 2025

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

Adjective

While the continent’s famous bouncing animals aren’t currently endangered, other species part of the marsupial family — like koalas and Tasmanian devils — are. —Elizabeth Both, NBC News, 7 Feb. 2025

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

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