raccoon

noun

rac·​coon ra-ˈkün 

also rə-

variants or less commonly racoon

plural raccoon or raccoons also racoon or racoons

1

a

: a small nocturnal carnivore (Procyon lotor) of North America that is chiefly gray, has a black mask and bushy ringed tail, lives chiefly in trees, and has a varied diet including small animals, fruits, and nuts

b

: the pelt of this animal

2

: any of several animals resembling or related to the raccoon

Illustration of raccoon

• raccoon 1a

Examples of raccoon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Jimothy the raccoon took over social media because of his unique shape due to a spinal condition. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026

Because raccoon stock has never been higher, what with internet sensation Jimothy taking over to the point of getting his own theme night at a Seattle Mariners game. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Fans on Reddit have deemed the wild raccoon a national treasure and have created a sub-Reddit in his honor. — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026

Recently, viewers discovered Jimothy the raccoon scampering through the city. — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Virginia Algonquian raugroughcun, arocoun

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing raccoon

• raccoon dog

Rhymes for raccoon

• attune
• baboon
• balloon
• bassoon
• buffoon
• cartoon
• cocoon
• festoon
• gaboon
• harpoon
• immune
• impugn

Kids Definition

raccoon

noun

rac·​coon

variants also racoon

ra-ˈkün

plural raccoon or raccoons also racoon or racoons

: a small North American mammal that is mostly gray with a black mask, has a bushy ringed tail, lives chiefly in trees and is active at night, and eats a varied diet including small animals, fruits, eggs, and insects

also : the pelt of a raccoon

Etymology

Virginia Algonquian raugroughcoon, arocoun "racoon"