rattlesnake

noun

rat·​tle·​snake ˈra-tᵊl-ˌsnāk 

: 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

Examples of rattlesnake in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While rattlesnake bites are venomous and potentially dangerous, fatalities are relatively low, especially when medical attention is received quickly after a bite. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024

An Arizona girl nearly lost her leg after going 30 hours without realizing she had been bitten by a rattlesnake, according to her family. —Abigail Adams, People.com, 1 Oct. 2024

California is home to eight species of rattlesnakes, the most common for our region being the Western Diamondback and Southern Pacific rattlesnakes. —Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2024

Detecting a rattlesnake strike could be a lifesaver. —Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rattlesnake

• diamondback rattlesnake
• rattlesnake master
• rattlesnake plantain
• rattlesnake root
• rattlesnake weed
• timber rattlesnake

Kids Definition

rattlesnake

noun

rat·​tle·​snake ˈrat-ᵊl-ˌsnāk 

: 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 

: 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