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
Robbie found his souvenir for the day, a rattlesnake stuffie in a can.
—
Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 17 May 2026
The first is a failure of the game mechanics, where, even with more twists than a rattlesnake having a seizure, so few of them resulted in real surprises.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 14 May 2026
Be wary of rattlesnakes in the warm months.
—Abigail Bliss, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
Warm spring weather is bringing rattlesnakes and people closer together, and not necessarily in a good way.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rattlesnake
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Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 17 May 2026
The first is a failure of the game mechanics, where, even with more twists than a rattlesnake having a seizure, so few of them resulted in real surprises.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 14 May 2026
Be wary of rattlesnakes in the warm months.
—Abigail Bliss, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
Warm spring weather is bringing rattlesnakes and people closer together, and not necessarily in a good way.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rattlesnake
Cite this Entry
“Rattlesnake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rattlesnake. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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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