raccoon

noun

rac·​coon ra-ˈkün How to pronounce raccoon (audio)
 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

Illustration of raccoon
  • raccoon 1a

Examples of raccoon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This is a quirky film, sure, but beyond Chris Pratt and Zoe Saldana knocking around a CGI world, the wildest aspect is Bradley Cooper voicing a sassy raccoon. Eric Farwell, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2024 The dead raccoon, which was found on Friday near a family cat on Timber Ridge Road, was investigated and impounded by the Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement Specialists. Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2024 While their slimy coatings deter some would-be-predators, raccoons, opossums, snakes, moles, toads, shrews, turtles, ground beetles, and birds, such as ducks, starlings, and thrushes, devour them with gusto. Paul Richards, Field & Stream, 29 Feb. 2024 Officials saw success in rabies control among coyote, fox and raccoon populations in Europe and North America. Discover Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024 Capturing a Furry Friendship The emotive backbone of the story lies in Rocket’s adolescence where the raccoon is experimented on by the High Evolutionary in order to create a utopian society. Daron James, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2023 Many animals can carry rabies, including raccoons, foxes, skunks, and dogs. Emily Mullin, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2023 This is the primary defense mechanism for a toad that is otherwise physically incapable of defending itself from the likes of raccoons, skunks, snakes or birds of prey, like eagles. Scott Travers, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 And don’t feed wildlife or feed your pets outside, since birdseed or pet food can attract raccoons, deer, and other mountain lion prey to your yard, officials said. Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 13 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'raccoon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Virginia Algonquian raugroughcun, arocoun

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of raccoon was in 1608

Dictionary Entries Near raccoon

Cite this Entry

“Raccoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raccoon. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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"

More from Merriam-Webster on raccoon

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