possum

noun

pos·​sum ˈpä-səm 

1

: opossum sense 1

Well into the twentieth century in the rural South, a possum hunt remained a favorite cold-weather sport …

—Evan Jones

2

: any of various small to medium-sized, nocturnal, chiefly arboreal marsupial mammals (especially families Phalangeridae, Pseudocheiridae, and Petauridae) of Australia and New Guinea that have thick, soft fur, a prehensile tail, and a rounded head with protruding eyes and that are mainly herbivorous

A member of Australia's rich endemic possum population, it is named for its lemur-like eyes.

—Jo Chandler

Note: Possums have a head and body ranging in length from 12 1/2 to 25 1/2 inches (320 to 655 mm) with a tail nearly as long.

see cuscus, phalanger

Examples of possum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Small wonder that although the statue is expressive of Jordan’s signature, physically sprawling move, one leg is as stiff as a pharaoh’s, his feet are weirdly flat, his jersey is pooched as if a possum were wriggling inside it. —Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 30 Aug. 2025

Made with luscious layers of cream cheese filling and dark chocolate pudding, all held together by a pecan shortbread crust, possum pie is one of the best old-fashioned desserts there is. —Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025

Their natural predators include rodents, hedgehogs, possums, cats and weasels, according to experts. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2025

Confusingly, opossums are often just called possums. —Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing possum

• play possum

Rhymes for possum

• awesome
• blossom
• lysosome
• opossum
• odontoglossum

Kids Definition

possum

noun

pos·​sum ˈpäs-əm 

: opossum