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

Research on dairy farms has shown the virus spreads efficiently between mammals, including from cows to other species like raccoons and cats. —Evan Bush, NBC News, 6 Dec. 2024

The company handles wildlife that shows up in unexpected, and often unwelcome spaces, and frequently posts social media videos of its encounters featuring creatures like bobcats, wild boars, skunks, raccoons and rattlesnakes. —Leslie Katz, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

The Goins brothers hunted rabbits, deer, raccoons and squirrels for the family to eat. —Ella Adams, USA TODAY, 24 Nov. 2024

Is canine distemper treatable in raccoons and other animals? —Gina Lee Castro, Journal Sentinel, 20 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"