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

However, washing isn’t mandatory, and a raccoon still will dine if there’s no water nearby. —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

In Lansing, Michigan, a group of friends around a late-night campfire spotted another raccoon in distress — this one choking. —Ronnie Li, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025

Animals that typically carry rabies are bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 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"