raccoon

noun

rac·coon ra-ˈkün

also rə-

variants or less commonly racoon

plural raccoon or raccoons also racoon or racoons

Synonyms of raccoon

: 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

: the pelt of this animal

: any of several animals resembling or related to the raccoon

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.

Remove Food Sources Eliminate any food sources around the house that might keep raccoons coming back, says Esparza. — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026 The county had 11 cases in 2025 — six raccoons and five bats — and 14 cases in 2024, including 10 raccoons, a cow, a bat, a cat and a fox. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2026 Bats, skunks, foxes and raccoons are the most common animals that carry and spread the virus. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026 At the end of the raccoon episode, the characters try once again to paper things over with a promise that no one in their group should ever hook up again. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026 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

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Raccoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raccoon. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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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"

raccoon

noun

Illustration of raccoon

Examples of raccoon in a Sentence

Word History

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raccoon

noun

Illustration of raccoon

Examples of raccoon in a Sentence

Word History

Phrases Containing raccoon

Rhymes for raccoon

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on raccoon

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