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
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Cottonmouth snake size How to identify a rattlesnake The habitat range of rattlesnakes reaches across the majority of the United States, primarily in the desert, mountains, prairies and along coastlines.
—
Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 11 July 2025
California is also home to seven species of venomous rattlesnakes, The Sacramento Bee previously reported.
—Sacbee.com, 9 July 2025
One of the most frequently responsible species for snakebites in the U.S., the rattlesnake's bites can be deadly if left untreated, especially for children and the elderly.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
In between, the looming presence of bears, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, poison oak, as well as a runner’s ability (or inability) to follow the course add wrinkle after wrinkle to this battle of will and attrition.
—Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 25 June 2025
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Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 11 July 2025
California is also home to seven species of venomous rattlesnakes, The Sacramento Bee previously reported.
—Sacbee.com, 9 July 2025
One of the most frequently responsible species for snakebites in the U.S., the rattlesnake's bites can be deadly if left untreated, especially for children and the elderly.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
In between, the looming presence of bears, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, poison oak, as well as a runner’s ability (or inability) to follow the course add wrinkle after wrinkle to this battle of will and attrition.
—Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 25 June 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 5 Aug. 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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