rattlesnake

noun

rat·​tle·​snake ˈra-tᵊl-ˌsnāk How to pronounce rattlesnake (audio)
Synonyms of rattlesnakenext
: 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

Illustration of rattlesnake

Examples of rattlesnake 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.
Make sure to sample the rattlesnake and rabbit sausage here, too. — Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 25 July 2026 These shady sites are great nap spots for rattlesnakes, which are common to the area. — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026 Elordi’s character Nate was killed off in the penultimate episode when he was buried alive and then bit by a rattlesnake. — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026 Though Elordi filmed in the coffin with a nonvenomous boa constrictor, his character Nate Jacobs is killed by a rattlesnake in the shocking scene. — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rattlesnake

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rattlesnake was in 1624

Phrases Containing rattlesnake

Rhymes for rattlesnake

See All Rhymes for rattlesnake

Browse Nearby Words

rattlertree
rattlesnake
rattlesnake-bite
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rattlesnake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rattlesnake. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

rattlesnake

noun
rat·​tle·​snake ˈrat-ᵊl-ˌsnāk How to pronounce rattlesnake (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce rattlesnake (audio)
: 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All