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

It's usually transmitted through a bite from a bat, coyote, fox, raccoon or skunk. — Nicholas Lentz, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

Then the raccoon gets the gift of a lifetime when another fan hands him a full hot dog. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

The opportunistic raccoon tickled many people online, with viewers calling the raccoon a rat in disguise and commenting on the price of hot dogs at the New York City stadium. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026

Jahnke’s work features four panels depicting realistic images of local wildlife, including geese, raccoons, a fox and an owl. — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 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"