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

Illustration of rattlesnake

Examples of rattlesnake in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Park rangers received reports of three dogs being bitten by rattlesnakes at Westminster Hills Open Space, city spokesperson Sara Stiehl said. — Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2026

That hot weather is contributing to an increase in the number of rattlesnakes spotted in popular open spaces. — Gabriela Vidal, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

How to identify venomous snakes The rattlesnake is the only native venomous snake in California, according to the University of California’s Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado updated August 5, Sacbee.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Fourteen states named a snake species as their most dangerous animal, from rattlesnakes in the West to copperheads and cottonmouths across the South. — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rattlesnake

• diamondback rattlesnake
• rattlesnake master
• rattlesnake plantain
• rattlesnake root
• rattlesnake weed
• timber rattlesnake

Rhymes for rattlesnake

• overtake
• shiitake
• undertake
• wapentake
• ache
• ake
• bake
• brake
• break
• cake
• craik
• crake

Kids 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