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

In California, there are almost 50 native snake species, including seven species of rattlesnake, according to the State of California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). —Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026

Last month, a Ventura County woman died from a rattlesnake bite on a Southern California hiking trail during an unusually active period of snake attacks and unseasonably warm weather. —Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026

When the Pios’ offense finally awoke in the third period against Wisconsin — DU is a rattlesnake that patiently waits to strike — belief swelled. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026

The snake rattled angrily, thrashed wildly, and sprayed considerable rattlesnake musk or scent. —Dr. C. E. Kuschel, Outdoor Life, 9 Apr. 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