raccoon

noun

rac·​coon ra-ˈkün How to pronounce raccoon (audio)
 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

Illustration of raccoon
  • raccoon 1a

Examples of raccoon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The dead raccoon tested negative for rabies, the agency said. Phil Helsel, NBC News, 28 Dec. 2024 Perhaps less recognized, Fred the raccoon was dropped off at P'Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary about five months ago by a neighbor, Longo said. Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 13 Nov. 2024 The social media user who captured the incident on camera told CNN that the raccoon was running around the gate for about five minutes before crews moved it outside. Sara Smart, CNN, 6 Nov. 2024 At one point, a White House police officer captured a wild male raccoon and offered him as a playmate: the male, named Rueben, ran away, and Rebecca lived on in stately solitude. Katherine Rundell, Harper's Magazine, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for raccoon 

Word History

Etymology

Virginia Algonquian raugroughcun, arocoun

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of raccoon was in 1608

Dictionary Entries Near raccoon

Cite this Entry

“Raccoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raccoon. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

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"

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