raccoon

[ ra-koon ]

noun

, plural rac·coons, (especially collectively) rac·coon.

1. a nocturnal omnivore, Procyon lotor, the largest member of the family Procyonidae, having a masklike black stripe across the eyes, a sharp snout, a bushy, ringed tail, and very dexterous front paws, native to North and Central America and introduced elsewhere for its valuable fur: more than 20 subspecies have been named.
2. the thick, brownish-gray fur of this animal, with gray, black-tipped guard hairs.
3. any of various related animals of the genus Procyon, of Central American islands, some now rare.

raccoon

/ rəˈkuːn /

noun

1. any omnivorous mammal of the genus Procyon , esp P. lotor ( North American raccoon ), inhabiting forests of North and Central America and the Caribbean: family Procyonidae , order Carnivora (carnivores). Raccoons have a pointed muzzle, long tail, and greyish-black fur with black bands around the tail and across the face
2. the fur of the North American raccoon

Word History and Origins

Origin of raccoon¹

An Americanism dating back to 1600–10; from Virginia Algonquian (English spelling) aroughcun, from arahkunem “he scratches with his hands”

Word History and Origins

Origin of raccoon¹

C17: from Algonquian ärähkun , from ärähkuněm he scratches with his hands

Example Sentences

A raccoon scampered around the field during an MLS game between Philadelphia and New York City.

From Los Angeles Times

Carl, a kind raccoon who loves to collect things, lives in a fictional world called Fuzzytown with his friends, including twin rabbits, a helpful beaver, a reserved fox and an energetic squirrel.

From Los Angeles Times

The noises were no stray opossum or raccoon but a man — reportedly naked and, authorities said, living in the crawl space underneath the woman’s home.

From Los Angeles Times

The search had been scaled down during daylight hours - when the raccoons are expected to go to sleep.

From BBC

From a young age, Alicia was an animal lover who would bring home rabbits and raccoons she hoped to keep as pets.

From Los Angeles Times