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 disease, which spreads through bites and scratches from infected animals, is most commonly carried by bats, foxes, raccoons and skunks. — Gagandeep Singh, Sacbee.com, 15 Sep. 2026

In Texas, rabies has been detected mostly in bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes, according to the state health department. — Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026

The internet went wild for the unique raccoon after Seattle resident Kiana Hall uploaded a video of the animal on social media on July 13, affectionately naming him Jimothy. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2026

The disease is primarily spread to humans through bites and scratches from infected animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. — Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Sep. 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"