possum

noun

pos·​sum ˈpä-səm How to pronounce possum (audio)
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 Other predators, such as rats, possums, stoats, ferrets, and feral cats, were later brought by European settlers. Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 12 Sep. 2023 While both possums and opossums are marsupials — the two animals have their differences. Sydney Borchers, Fox News, 17 Dec. 2023 Her old fence is falling, and the other day a possum entered her yard. Dave Lieber, Dallas News, 30 Aug. 2023 The possum then proceeded to run underneath one of the woman’s couches. Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 4 Dec. 2023 Then the tourist screams and dives on the ground, presumably playing possum. Sage Marshall, Field & Stream, 25 Oct. 2023 Other options include a narwhal, hedgehog, mushroom, and possum. Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 11 Oct. 2023 When a child is vulnerable or can’t escape, there can be a sort of playing possum effect. Dory Jackson, Peoplemag, 24 Oct. 2023 Pigs, deer, possums, even feral cats — all would be weighed and showcased, the bigger animals strung on racks, the smaller ones laid out in rows that became heaps as the day went on. Yan Zhuang Tatsiana Chypsanava, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'possum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of possum was in 1613

Dictionary Entries Near possum

Cite this Entry

“Possum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/possum. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

possum

noun
pos·​sum ˈpäs-əm How to pronounce possum (audio)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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