Illustration of opossum
- opossum 1
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
Examples of opossum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The 360-acre preserve is home to a variety of mammals, including bobcats, raccoons, armadillos, opossums, rabbits and foxes.
—
Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2025
Like the opossum and the sheep, he is also being hunted for sustenance, albeit sustenance of a different, darker, figurative kind.
—Violet Kupersmith, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2025
While the animal may be seen drooling or swaying, which can spark fear of rabies, opossums are extremely resistant to the disease, according to the Humane Society of the United States.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
Fleas are carried constantly into your yard by wildlife that passes through, such as skunks, raccoons, opossums, mice, and deer, says Benson.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2025
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Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2025
Like the opossum and the sheep, he is also being hunted for sustenance, albeit sustenance of a different, darker, figurative kind.
—Violet Kupersmith, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2025
While the animal may be seen drooling or swaying, which can spark fear of rabies, opossums are extremely resistant to the disease, according to the Humane Society of the United States.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
Fleas are carried constantly into your yard by wildlife that passes through, such as skunks, raccoons, opossums, mice, and deer, says Benson.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opossum
Cite this Entry
“Opossum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opossum. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
opossum
noun
opos·sum
(ə-)ˈpäs-əm 
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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