kangaroo ratEnglishOxford New American Dictionarykangaroo rat /ˈˌkaNGɡəˈro͞o ˌrat, ˈˌkæŋɡəˈru ˌræt/ ▸ noun a seed-eating hopping rodent with large cheek pouches and long hind legs, found from Canada to Mexico. Genus Dipodomys, family Heteromyidae: several species.