garter snake

noun

Synonyms of garter snakenext
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In September, the garter snakes begin to return to the dens and stay above ground until the weather gets too cool for them. Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026 Snakes, such as garter snakes and thread snakes, eat snails, ant larvae, and other invertebrates, while gopher snakes, rat snakes, and other larger snakes are excellent mousers and will even take packrats, Amarello says. Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 6 May 2026 Connecticut is home to 14 native snake species including the common garter snake, DeKay’s brownsnake, northern watersnake, and eastern milk snake. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026 The movements no longer those of a minnow but rather of a garter snake in grass, with that edge of hiddenness and surprise. Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026 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

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Cite this Entry

“Garter snake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/garter%20snake. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

garter snake

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

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