kangaroo rat

/ˌˈkæŋgəˌru ˈræt/
IPA guide

Other forms: kangaroo rats

Definitions of kangaroo rat
  1. noun
    any of various leaping rodents of desert regions of North America and Mexico; largest members of the family Heteromyidae
    synonyms: Dipodomys phillipsii, desert rat
    see moresee less
    types:
    Dipodomys ordi, Ord kangaroo rat
    most widely distributed kangaroo rat: plains and mountain areas of central and western United States
    type of:
    pocket rat
    any of various rodents with cheek pouches
  2. noun
    any of several rabbit-sized ratlike Australian kangaroos
    synonyms: rat kangaroo
    see moresee less
    types:
    potoroo
    Australian rat kangaroos
    bettong
    short-nosed rat kangaroo
    jerboa kangaroo, kangaroo jerboa
    brush-tailed rat kangaroo
    type of:
    kangaroo
    any of several herbivorous leaping marsupials of Australia and New Guinea having large powerful hind legs and a long thick tail
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘kangaroo rat'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family