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 program is designed to trick North Carolina’s raccoons into taking their medicine with a tasty snack. — Eva Flowe october 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026

The massive aerial operation is part of an annual operation to spread rabies vaccination baits targeting raccoons and other wildlife in the state. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Public health officials are investigating which rabies strain the raccoon was infected with. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Deer eating pumpkins can attract mountain lions to your yard, and raccoons feasting on rotting gourds can spread disease. — Celia Frazier, Denver Post, 3 Oct. 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"