Illustration of rattlesnake
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
Examples of rattlesnake in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Among the weird things people left behind were a full sheet of uncut $2 bills, a toilet seat, silicone butt pads, a rattlesnake preserved in a jar of whiskey and an antique French guide to performing exorcisms.
—
Zach Wichter, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Mojave Rattlesnake Among the rattlesnakes of the Southwest, the Mojave rattlesnake, or Crotalus scutulatus, stands apart for more than its pale greenish hue.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Rabbits dance and rattlesnakes slither in the hazy undergrowth with the same rickety gestures as the towering creatures above, providing each new environment a comforting, organic feel.
—Sarah Thwaites, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2025
How to identify rattlesnakes Seven different species of rattlesnake can be found across California.
—Sarah Linn, Sacramento Bee, 15 Feb. 2025
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Zach Wichter, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Mojave Rattlesnake Among the rattlesnakes of the Southwest, the Mojave rattlesnake, or Crotalus scutulatus, stands apart for more than its pale greenish hue.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Rabbits dance and rattlesnakes slither in the hazy undergrowth with the same rickety gestures as the towering creatures above, providing each new environment a comforting, organic feel.
—Sarah Thwaites, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2025
How to identify rattlesnakes Seven different species of rattlesnake can be found across California.
—Sarah Linn, Sacramento Bee, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rattlesnake
Cite this Entry
“Rattlesnake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rattlesnake. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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