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
That’s a sure way to invite not only raccoons but other unwanted guests such as mice, opossums, and skunks.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Texans may also have run-ins with wildlife, such as raccoons, opossums and squirrels, during the winter months, according to 855 Bugs.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2025
Both opossums and raccoons leave prints that look like those of a tiny human, but the opossum thumb is held at nearly right angles to the rest of the fingers.
—Steven Sullivan, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025
The virus most commonly spreads among wild birds but can also infect poultry, livestock and other mammals, including goats, coyotes and opossums.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opossum
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.
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Texans may also have run-ins with wildlife, such as raccoons, opossums and squirrels, during the winter months, according to 855 Bugs.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2025
Both opossums and raccoons leave prints that look like those of a tiny human, but the opossum thumb is held at nearly right angles to the rest of the fingers.
—Steven Sullivan, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025
The virus most commonly spreads among wild birds but can also infect poultry, livestock and other mammals, including goats, coyotes and opossums.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 16 Sep. 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 29 Oct. 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"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share