garter snake

noun

: any of a genus (Thamnophis) of harmless viviparous American snakes with longitudinal stripes on the back

Illustration of garter snake

Illustration of garter snake

Examples of garter snake in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
However, eastern garter snakes and eastern rat snakes are both native to Virginia. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 13 Aug. 2024 Apart from garter snakes, which are known to cluster together in their hundreds in what’s called a hibernaculum during the winter months, most snakes are solo actors. New Atlas, 21 July 2024 For seven years, researchers visited dozens of sites across Mexico to survey garter snakes. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 1 July 2024 Ahumada’s alpine garter snakes have been found in two mountain ranges in Jalisco, the study said. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 1 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for garter snake 

Word History

First Known Use

1743, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of garter snake was in 1743

Dictionary Entries Near garter snake

Cite this Entry

“Garter snake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/garter%20snake. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

garter snake

noun
: any of numerous harmless American snakes with stripes along the back

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