pouch

Everyday

1. A pouch is a small soft bag, often closed with a string or zip, for carrying small things. tree →
2. A pocket of skin on the belly of some animals, like kangaroos, where their babies grow. tree →
3. A pocket of skin in the cheeks of some animals, like hamsters, for carrying food. tree →

In the lessons

Used in science lessons about marsupials: kangaroos, koalas and wombats carry their babies (joeys) in a pouch. In everyday life: a pencil pouch, a drink pouch, a money pouch.

Examples

• The baby kangaroo lives in its mother's pouch. tree →
• Put your pens in your pencil pouch. tree →
• The hamster stuffed seeds into its cheek pouches. tree →
• Koalas are marsupials and have a pouch. tree →
• He kept his coins in a leather pouch. tree →
• I had an apple juice pouch with my lunch. tree →
• A joey stays in the pouch for months. tree →
• I will fill your knapsack—I will fill your pouch.’ tree →

Note

Countable: plural "pouches" (add -es after ch). Pronounced to rhyme with "couch". Animals with pouches are called marsupials.