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

Elizabeth Heffron and William DeLeo, who appeared to be walking on a pier, spotted the raccoon trying to stay afloat in the waters below them, according to Associated Press. —Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025

Watch the video below to see the raccoon’s clever escape! —Ronnie Li, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025

Unlike some wildlife species, raccoons (Procyon lotor) thrive even in urban areas. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025

Texans may also have run-ins with wildlife, such as raccoons, opossums and squirrels, during the winter months, according to 855 Bugs. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2025

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"