opossum
noun
opos·sum
| \ (ə-)ˈpä-səm
\
\
plural opossums
also opossum
Definition of 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
: possum sense 2
Illustration of opossum
opossum 1
Examples of opossum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Dear Readers: After our pro-opossums hint, people have been sending in their opossum pictures! Venida K. in Van Nuys, Calif., found this opossum in her yard during the day! — Heloise, Washington Post, "Hints From Heloise: Watch for heatstroke in dogs," 24 Aug. 2019 In 2017, more than 200 animals were killed accidentally, including raccoons, opossums and a bear. — Madeleine Carlisle, Time, "Trump Administration Re-Authorizes Using 'Cyanide Bombs' to Kill Coyotes and Dogs. Here's What to Know," 9 Aug. 2019 People commonly contract this type of typhus after spending significant time outside or coming into contact with wild animals like opossums, rats and cats. — Lauren Caruba, ExpressNews.com, "Rash, fever, fatigue: San Antonio veterinarian calls attention to flea-borne typhus," 10 Aug. 2019 They were released into the wild and have devastated native populations of bobcats, opossums, raccoons and foxes and have nearly wiped out cottontail rabbits. — Washington Post, "Florida doubles efforts to hunt invasive pythons," 7 Aug. 2019 Tires don’t shriek when somebody brakes to avoid an opossum transfixed by headlights in the middle of the road. — Gena Steffens, Smithsonian, "The Snakes That Ate Florida," 11 July 2019 Some 96 million years ago, the suburbs of Dallas, Texas, were part of a lush river delta that was home to turtles, dinosaurs, fish—and a bizarre creature that looked like a crocodile but may have eaten like an opossum. — Michael Greshko, National Geographic, "Fossils of oddball crocodile relative found in Texas suburb," 10 June 2019 Bryan said that the opossum was actually snuggled into one of the girls dresses, with its head peeking out of the pocket. — Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "A Opossum Was Living in a 7-Year-Old’s Room For Three Days Before Anyone Noticed," 19 Apr. 2019 More by Peter Fimrite Bobcats reduced their daytime activity by 31%, skunk activity decreased 40%and opossums foraged 66% less when people were talking. — Peter Fimrite, SFChronicle.com, "Fearsome mountain lions high-tail it out of there when they hear human voices," 17 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'opossum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for opossum
opossum
noun
English Language Learners Definition of opossum
: a somewhat small white or gray animal that is usually active at night and that lives in North and South America and in Australia
See the full definition for opossum in the English Language Learners Dictionary
opossum
noun
opos·sum
| \ ə-ˈpä-səm
\
\
Kids Definition of opossum
: an American animal related to the kangaroo that has a long pointed snout, lives both on the ground and in trees, and is active at night
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