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

As its name suggests, this canid family member has face markings that bear a resemblance to that of a raccoon. —Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024

Video shared on social media shows the chaotic critter scene at a Spirit Airlines gate where a raccoon can be seen clinging onto a cable that is hanging from the ceiling. —Sara Smart, CNN, 6 Nov. 2024

Outdoor cats generally do not live as long as indoor cats and are at risk of trauma from cars, fights with other cats, free-roaming dogs, and predators, such as raccoons and coyotes. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

Fred, the raccoon, was a more recent addition to Longo's home. —Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Virginia Algonquian raugroughcun, arocoun

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing raccoon

• raccoon dog

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"