rattlesnake

noun

rat·​tle·​snake ˈra-tᵊl-ˌsnāk How to pronounce rattlesnake (audio)
: any of several American pit vipers (genera Crotalus and Sistrurus) that have horny interlocking joints at the end of the tail which make a sharp rattling sound when shaken

Illustration of rattlesnake

Illustration of rattlesnake

Examples of rattlesnake in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Huron County wildlife officer Matthew Smith found a rare rattlesnake during an annual survey with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in May 2024. Li Cohen, CBS News, 7 June 2024 What are the symptoms of rattlesnake bites in pets? Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2024 Rick Boyd, the Twentynine Palms Animal Control supervisor, told the Times that the snake was a Western rattlesnake, also known as the Northern Pacific rattlesnake. Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 24 May 2024 The snake was identified as a 3-foot Mohave rattlesnake, a species that can reach 4 feet in length, experts say. Mark Price, Sacramento Bee, 23 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for rattlesnake 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rattlesnake.' 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

1624, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rattlesnake was in 1624

Dictionary Entries Near rattlesnake

Cite this Entry

“Rattlesnake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rattlesnake. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

rattlesnake

noun
rat·​tle·​snake ˈrat-ᵊl-ˌsnāk How to pronounce rattlesnake (audio)
: any of various poisonous American snakes with a rattle at the end of the tail

Medical Definition

rattlesnake

noun
rat·​tle·​snake ˈrat-ᵊl-ˌsnāk How to pronounce rattlesnake (audio)
: any of the American pit vipers that have a series of horny interlocking joints at the end of the tail which make a sharp rattling sound when vibrated and that comprise the genera Sistrurus and Crotalus see diamondback rattlesnake, tiger rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake
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