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

The condition could have been a death sentence for a young raccoon, but somehow, Jimothy has managed to thrive, his deformity imbuing him with the cutesy, cartoonish proportions of a Pokémon, or perhaps a Squishmallow. — Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

And Bobby also suggested an appetizer featuring his favorite cut of male raccoon roadkill. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 25 July 2026

It’s been a little more than a week since a stout, scrappy raccoon captured the internet's heart, and Jimothy mania is showing no signs of slowing down. — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 25 July 2026

The city of Seattle will host an event this upcoming Sunday celebrating the raccoon, where Jimothy will be honored with an official city proclamation, according to a social media post shared by Seattle Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck. — Mason Leib, ABC News, 23 July 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"