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

North American raccoons are showing early signs of domestication. —Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

Since Christmas, the camera showed opossums, raccoons, an owl, bunnies, squirrels, a bobcat and, of course, coyotes. —Kendrick Calfee updated January 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2026

During a routine exam, veterinarians found Baylisascaris eggs in the dog’s system — the first such formal report of raccoon roundworm in a dog in county history, according to a Los Angeles County Department of Public Health news release. —Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026

Scientists have speculated that raccoons have mental imagery capabilities similar to humans. —Kelly Lambert, Fortune, 16 Jan. 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"