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

There were rattlesnakes and vipers in the rest of Canada, but no snakes here in except the harmless garter snake. — Paul Theroux, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026

The prairie rattlesnake and the western massasauga prefer the west, with the prairie rattlesnake being the only species of venomous snakes common to the Panhandle. — Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 21 Sep. 2026

Adult monarchs feed on wild cherry, lilac, Labrador tea, blazing star, red clover, dogbane, goldenrods, ironweeds, joe-pye-weed, marigolds, asters, rattlesnake-master, sunflowers, thistles, vetches and (of course) milkweeds, MSU Extension said. — Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2026

And most of the time, rattlesnakes do not pose a serious threat. — Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 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