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

In the garden, Frank uses his experience sleeping on the streets to help Gregory and Mr. Johnson ward off raccoons. —Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025

Five 5-inch toys are randomly chosen for each box and may include any of the 20 different options, like a pig, unicorn, or rainbow raccoon. —Ali Faccenda, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024

The state Department of Environmental Conservation seized Peanut and a raccoon named Fred from owner Mark Longo's home and animal sanctuary in rural Pine City, New York, near the Pennsylvania border, earlier this week. —Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 18 Nov. 2024

From the new show Carl the Collector, which features an autistic raccoon, to content with American Sign Language (ASL) interpretations, PBS KIDS is spearheading change in the disability community. —Jaclyn Greenberg, Parents, 5 Dec. 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"