opossum

noun

plural opossums also opossum
1
: any of a family (Didelphidae) of small- to medium-sized American marsupials that usually have a pointed snout and nearly hairless scaly prehensile tail, are typically active at night, and are sometimes hunted for their fur or meat
especially : a common omnivorous largely nocturnal mammal (Didelphis virginiana) of North and Central America that is a skilled climber, that typically has a white face and grayish body and in the female a well-developed fur-lined pouch, and that when threatened may feign death by curling up the body and remaining motionless and unresponsive
2

Illustration of opossum

Illustration of opossum
  • opossum 1

Examples of opossum 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.
This encourages chipmunks, as well as other wildlife, such as raccoons, opossums, and skunks to visit, says Owen. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2025 As are many other mammals, including foxes, opossums, several species of bears, even bottlenose dolphins. Sarah Boden, NPR, 22 Jan. 2025 The 360-acre preserve is home to a variety of mammals, including bobcats, raccoons, armadillos, opossums, rabbits and foxes. Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2025 Marchetti started off the class by asking the participants to find a comfortable position as the opossums started moving about the room. Deena Butterfield, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for opossum 

Word History

Etymology

earlier apossoun, opassom, borrowed from a Virginia Algonquian word of uncertain form, going back to Algonquian *wa·p- "white" + *-aʔθemw- "dog, small animal"

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of opossum was in 1610

Dictionary Entries Near opossum

Cite this Entry

“Opossum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opossum. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

opossum

noun
opos·​sum (ə-)ˈpäs-əm How to pronounce opossum (audio)
plural opossums also opossum
: a common marsupial mammal mostly of the eastern U.S. that usually is active at night, has a tail that can wrap around and grasp objects (as tree branches), and is an expert climber
Etymology

from apossoun, opassom, a word in an Algonquian language of Virginia meaning, literally, "white dog"

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