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
Even the more terrifying creatures, like rattlesnakes and scorpions, have their own undeniable, deadly beauty.
—
Becky Bartkowski, AZCentral.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Founded in 1958 by local farmers and ranchers, the Round-Up began as an attempt to reduce rattlesnake populations that threatened livestock in West Texas.
—Staff Photographer, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Other rattlesnakes found as far north as Denton County include the timber rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake and massasauga rattlesnake, Pandelis said.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026
Unlike the rattlesnake choice at Thanksgiving, everyone’s on board with that pick.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2025
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Becky Bartkowski, AZCentral.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Founded in 1958 by local farmers and ranchers, the Round-Up began as an attempt to reduce rattlesnake populations that threatened livestock in West Texas.
—Staff Photographer, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Other rattlesnakes found as far north as Denton County include the timber rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake and massasauga rattlesnake, Pandelis said.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026
Unlike the rattlesnake choice at Thanksgiving, everyone’s on board with that pick.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 24 Dec. 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 16 Feb. 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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