koala

noun

ko·​ala kə-ˈwä-lə How to pronounce koala (audio)
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

Illustration of koala

Examples of koala in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Over 3,000 animals call Zoo Miami their home, including koalas, tigers, and elephants in large open-air exhibits. Jessica Poitevien, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2024 These immersive tours can offer insight into the worlds of pandas, elephants, koalas and many other animals. 2. Maeghan Dolph, Fox News, 6 Jan. 2024 The effort to compile and analyze a database of the North American koala population will be the largest koala pedigree genomic database in the world. Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2024 My older daughter recently told me that a newborn koala is the size of a jellybean. Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Dec. 2023 His tour company, Exceptional Kangaroo Island, takes visitors to wineries uncorking their first vintages from replanted vineyards and to watch koalas brunching in rejuvenated eucalyptus forests. Adam Erace, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2023 Some of the models look like hybrids—koalas crossed with wombats, say—that represent what could’ve been walking around with Noah thousands of years ago. Oliver Whang, The New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2023 While there, the group visited a zoo filled with giraffes, kangaroos and koalas. Emily Blackwood, Peoplemag, 16 Dec. 2023 The mixed animal edition has guest appearances by koalas, ducklings, and other cute critters. Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 24 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'koala.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Dharuk (Australian aboriginal language of the Port Jackson area) gula, gulawanʸ

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of koala was in 1802

Dictionary Entries Near koala

Cite this Entry

“Koala.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/koala. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

koala

noun
ko·​ala kō-ˈäl-ə How to pronounce koala (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on koala

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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