coral snake

noun

1
: any of several venomous chiefly tropical New World elapid snakes (genera Micrurus and Micruroides) brilliantly banded in red, black, and yellow or white that include two (Micrurus fulvius and Micruroides euryxanthus) ranging northward into the southern U.S.
2
: any of several harmless snakes resembling the coral snakes

Examples of coral snake in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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In the Southeast, there are several venomous snakes that could potentially cause an injury to a human or pet: three species of rattlesnakes (eastern diamondback, timber, and pygmy), copperhead, cotton mouth (also known as water moccasins), and coral snake, says Maerz. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2025 Often mistaken for king snakes or milk snakes, coral snakes display distinctive red, yellow, and black rings encircling their bodies. Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025 The North American cobras Texans have to lookout for are coral snakes, which are red and black with yellow rings around its body. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2025 According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, between 7,000 to 8,000 people are bit by a venomous snake (including rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths and coral snakes) in the U.S. each year. Greta Cross, USA Today, 25 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for coral snake

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1772, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of coral snake was circa 1772

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Cite this Entry

“Coral snake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coral%20snake. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

coral snake

noun
: any of several poisonous chiefly tropical New World snakes brilliantly banded in red, black, and yellow or white
also : any of several harmless snakes resembling the coral snakes

Medical Definition

coral snake

noun
: any of several venomous chiefly tropical New World elapid snakes of the genus Micrurus that are brilliantly banded in red, black, and yellow or white and include two (M. fulvius and M. euryxanthus) ranging northward into the southern United States
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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