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

Skunks, raccoons and opossums quickly adapt to these mechanical measures and will eventually return. —Michael Harrelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2024

Cicada predators include foxes, skunks, squirrels, raccoons and possums. —Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 22 May 2024

Each episode starts with Hank waiting to see the trash truck arrive on his street, and then the two go on fun adventures together, along with friends like Donny the raccoon and Walter the bear. —Jessica Booth, Peoplemag, 19 May 2024

The blocks are teeming with rhinos, giraffes, ostriches, pigs, ponies, raccoons, and sundry other critters. —Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Virginia Algonquian raugroughcun, arocoun

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing raccoon

• raccoon dog

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"