marsupial
[ mahr-soo-pee-uh l ]
/ mɑrˈsu pi əl /
noun
any viviparous, nonplacental mammal of the order Marsupialia, comprising the opossums, kangaroos, wombats, and bandicoots, the females of most species having a marsupium containing the mammary glands and serving as a receptacle for the young.
adjective
pertaining to, resembling, or having a marsupium.
of or relating to the marsupials.
Words nearby marsupial
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Examples from the Web for marsupial
British Dictionary definitions for marsupial
marsupial
/ (mɑːˈsjuːpɪəl, -ˈsuː-) /
noun
any mammal of the order Marsupialia, in which the young are born in an immature state and continue development in the marsupium. The order occurs mainly in Australia and South and Central America and includes the opossums, bandicoots, koala, wombats, and kangaroos
adjective
of, relating to, or belonging to the Marsupialia
of or relating to a marsupium
Derived forms of marsupial
marsupialian (mɑːˌsjuːpɪˈeɪlɪən, -ˌsuː-) or marsupian, noun, adjectiveWord Origin for marsupial
C17: see marsupium
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Scientific definitions for marsupial
marsupial
[ mär-sōō′pē-əl ]
Any of various mammals of the order Marsupialia, whose young are very undeveloped when born and continue developing outside their mother's body attached to one of her nipples. Most marsupials have longer hindlegs than forelimbs, and the females usually have pouches in which they carry their young. Kangaroos, opossums, and koalas are marsupials.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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