rattlesnake

play

noun rat·tle·snake \ˈra-t^əl-ˌsnāk\

Definition of rattlesnake

: 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

See rattlesnake defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of rattlesnake from the Web

Over the course of his career, Steen, whose work focuses mostly on the automobile's impact on turtle mortality, has dined of roadkill rabbit, rattlesnake, and deer.

— jeremy henderson, AL.com, "Road to Table? Auburn University biology professor talks pros and cons of eating roadkill," 30 June 2017
A caller reported finding what appeared to be a rattlesnake next to a porch.

— Washington Post, "Loudoun County Animal Watch," 28 June 2017
A Texas man was released from the hospital a week after he was bitten by a poisonous rattlesnake in his backyard.

— Fox News, "Man bitten by rattlesnake receives 80 doses of antivenom," 27 June 2017
But county animal control officials say the public should remain on the watch for rattlesnakes in all wildlands areas.

— gary robbins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Heat returns to inland areas Sunday — watch out for rattlesnakes," 24 June 2017
For more rattlesnake information, visit bit.ly/2tutcTK.

— tracy defore, Ramona Sentinel, "Rising Temps Roust Rattlesnakes," 22 June 2017
Rattlesnakes in prairies have been found to spread out during the winter.

— danika worthington, The Denver Post, "Researchers in Jeffco are tagging and tracking rattlesnakes to help make sure you never see one," 19 June 2017
The venomous canebrake rattlesnake dwells in the woods throughout most of the state, particularly hardwood forests.

— beau evans, NOLA.com, "Snakes of Louisiana: 46 of the state's slithery species," 12 June 2017
The Carolinas have Demons, Sharks and even Devildogs for high school mascots, but one district just outside Charlotte has drawn the line at being the first in South Carolina to go with rattlesnakes.

— mark price, charlotteobserver, "A rattlesnake as school mascot? Community near Charlotte hisses at the plan," 10 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rattlesnake.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of rattlesnake

First Known Use of rattlesnake

1624

RATTLESNAKE Defined for English Language Learners

rattlesnake

play

noun

Definition of rattlesnake for English Language Learners

: a poisonous American snake with a group of hard, loose pieces (called scales) at the end of its tail that it shakes to make a noise

RATTLESNAKE Defined for Kids

rattlesnake

play

noun rat·tle·snake \ˈra-t^əl-ˌsnāk\

Definition of rattlesnake for Students

: a poisonous American snake with a rattle at the end of its tail

Medical Dictionary

rattlesnake

play

noun rat·tle·snake \ˈrat-^əl-ˌsnāk\

Medical Definition of rattlesnake

: 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