Tasmanian devil

American

noun

a small, predacious marsupial, Sarcophilus harrisii, of Tasmania, having a black coat with white patches: its dwindling population is now confined to isolated areas.

Tasmanian devil British

noun

Also called: ursine dasyure. a small ferocious carnivorous marsupial, Sarcophilus harrisi, of Tasmania, having black fur with pale markings, strong jaws, and short legs: family Dasyuridae

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Tasmanian devil

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Los Angeles Zoo has Tasmanian devils again for the first time in five years, zoo officials announced Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times

Over the past 30 years, Australia's Tasmanian devil population has been afflicted with an infectious cancer that has pushed the species to near extinction.

From Science Daily

Albanese said his government has made a donation to a charity that works to protect the endangered Tasmanian devil.

From Seattle Times

If you can get out of town, check out Cradle Mountain and visit with the Tasmanian devils at Devils@Cradle Sanctuary.

From Seattle Times

In Australia, marsupials abound: A snarling Tasmanian devil stands before craggy Cradle Mountain, while a stubby brown wombat surveils the Great Australian Bight.

From New York Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023