possum

noun

pos·​sum ˈpä-səm 

1

: opossum sense 1

Well into the twentieth century in the rural South, a possum hunt remained a favorite cold-weather sport …

—Evan Jones

2

: any of various small to medium-sized, nocturnal, chiefly arboreal marsupial mammals (especially families Phalangeridae, Pseudocheiridae, and Petauridae) of Australia and New Guinea that have thick, soft fur, a prehensile tail, and a rounded head with protruding eyes and that are mainly herbivorous

A member of Australia's rich endemic possum population, it is named for its lemur-like eyes.

—Jo Chandler

Note: Possums have a head and body ranging in length from 12 1/2 to 25 1/2 inches (320 to 655 mm) with a tail nearly as long.

see cuscus, phalanger

Examples of possum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Awesome Possums, 1 p.m. at Harmonie State Park in New Harmony: How awesome are possums? —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 9 May 2024

In addition to dogs, PGC is most concerned for the safety of bears and critters like possums, raccoons, foxes, and coyotes, as well as birds of prey. —Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 7 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing possum

• play possum

Kids Definition

possum

noun

pos·​sum ˈpäs-əm 

: opossum