'macropodid' originates from New Latin (family name 'Macropodidae'), ultimately from Greek 'makro-' + 'pous', where 'makro-' meant 'large' and 'pous' meant 'foot'.

'macropodid' was formed via New Latin 'Macropodidae' (the family name), itself built from Greek elements 'makro-' and 'pous'; the English formation 'macropod' (meaning a 'large-footed' marsupial) gave rise to the derivative adjective/noun 'macropodid'.

Initially it literally conveyed 'large-footed' (from Greek elements), but over time it became a taxonomic term referring specifically to members of the family Macropodidae (kangaroos and relatives).