1
: opossum sense 1
Well into the twentieth century in the rural South, a possum hunt remained a favorite cold-weather sport …—
Evan Jones
Evan Jones2
: 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
Jo ChandlerNote: 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, phalangerExamples 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
Scientists, however, argue that possums can keep more than just themselves clean.
—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 1 May 2024
Monash and Zoos Victoria experts are also working on the genetic rescue of other species, including the critically endangered Leadbeater’s possum, a tiny, tree-dwelling marsupial known as the forest fairy.
—Emily Anthes Chang W. Lee, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2024
Cases have also been reported among bears, foxes, possums and seals.
—Carma Hassan, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024
The police evidence room has also seen the likes of possums and mold, the station reported.
—Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024
In the latest 2017 report, photos from inside the facility show snakes, rodents, possums and possible mold.
—Katherine Itoh, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2024
Activists found that the resort was trapping and killing wildlife, including skunks and possums.
—Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2024
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
Scientists, however, argue that possums can keep more than just themselves clean.
—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 1 May 2024
Monash and Zoos Victoria experts are also working on the genetic rescue of other species, including the critically endangered Leadbeater’s possum, a tiny, tree-dwelling marsupial known as the forest fairy.
—Emily Anthes Chang W. Lee, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2024
Cases have also been reported among bears, foxes, possums and seals.
—Carma Hassan, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024
The police evidence room has also seen the likes of possums and mold, the station reported.
—Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024
In the latest 2017 report, photos from inside the facility show snakes, rodents, possums and possible mold.
—Katherine Itoh, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2024
Activists found that the resort was trapping and killing wildlife, including skunks and possums.
—Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2024
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.
Dictionary Entries Near possum
Cite this Entry
“Possum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/possum. Accessed 13 May. 2024.
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