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water snake
noun
: any of various snakes (especially genus Nerodia formerly included in the genus Natrix) that frequent or inhabit fresh water and feed largely on aquatic animals
Examples of water snake in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At first, the friends thought the snake was a non-venomous water snake, but realized later, once the snake had swam closer, that the reptile was a venomous diamondback rattlesnake.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 3 May 2024
His fluid motion — pulling the mesh nets from the water, swapping the old bait for a fresh chunk of porgy — was interrupted only by the occasional water snake on top of a trap or a turtle inside one.
—Rick Rojas Emily Kask, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024
Lofty pine trees shade the sun; pools of standing black water snake a path to an expansive freshwater lake.
—Danielle Amir Jackson, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2023
The team spotted native brown water snakes and a large gator.
—Patricia Mazzei, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2023
The snakes are believed to be northern water snakes and likely came from wetlands behind the hotel.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2023
The Florida water snake, or Nerodia fasciata pictiventris, is one of three southern water snake subspecies and indigenous to the Sunshine State.
—Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Feb. 2020
The fountain, built in 1888, has several nymphs, plus four key water elements, a water snake, sea horse, swan and reptile.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 3 May 2023
In Greek legend, the Hydra is a gigantic water snake with nine heads, only one of which is immortal.
—Martin Indyk, Foreign Affairs, 26 May 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'water snake.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1527, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near water snake
Cite this Entry
“Water snake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20snake. Accessed 12 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
water snake
noun
: any of various snakes found in or near fresh waters and feeding largely on water-dwelling animals
More from Merriam-Webster on water snake
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for water snake
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about water snake
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