rattlesnake

noun rat·tle·snake \ ˈra-tᵊl-ˌsnāk \

Updated on: 15 May 2018

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

See rattlesnake defined for kids

Recent Examples of rattlesnake from the Web

An Oklahoma man died Sunday after being bitten twice by a rattlesnake while moving it from a roadway.

— william cummings, USA TODAY, "'Don't mess with snakes,' says wife of man fatally bitten after grabbing rattler," 2 May 2018
Dustin Poirier, Gaethje’s opponent in the main event of UFC on Fox 29 Saturday at Gila River Arena in Glendale, is as cold-blooded as a Louisiana canebreak rattlesnake.

— greg moore, azcentral, "Moore: Justin Gaethje vs. Dustin Poirier 'should be an explosive fight' at UFC Glendale," 12 Apr. 2018
Experienced dog handlers work one-on-one with each dog owner and their dog to train the dog to avoid the sight, smell and sound of rattlesnakes, skunks and porcupines.

— idahostatesman, "Southern Idaho geology talks planned the next few weeks | Idaho Statesman," 25 Apr. 2018
From forced sterilization to attempted murder by rattlesnake bite, Synanon has a wild legacy hristopher Bathum had no formal training in addiction treatment.

— hillel aron, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Story of This Drug Rehab-Turned-Violent Cult Is Wild, Wild Country-Caliber Bizarre," 23 Apr. 2018
As for the rattlesnake, that encounter occurred about three and a half years ago in Utah, McWilliams told the Star-Advertiser.

— dom calicchio, Fox News, "Man bitten by shark, bear, snake in less than 4 years," 22 Apr. 2018
There's another one: He was bitten by a rattlesnake three-and-half years ago while hiking in Utah.

— cliff pinckard, cleveland.com, "Colorado man has been bitten by bear, shark and snake," 22 Apr. 2018
Since members of his staff have been trained and armed, staff have had to use weapons only on roaming wildlife that posed a threat, including feral pigs, rattlesnakes and rabid skunks.

— moriah balingit, Washington Post, "‘No way I would do that’: Educators decry Trump proposal to arm teachers," 22 Feb. 2018
The area is also home to black bears, rattlesnakes, and poison oak, in addition to the more friendly deer and otters.

— Sunset, "7 Best BLM Camping Spots," 22 Jan. 2018

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.

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First Known Use of rattlesnake

1624

in the meaning defined above

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RATTLESNAKE Defined for English Language Learners

rattlesnake

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

noun rat·tle·snake \ ˈra-tᵊl-ˌsnāk \

Definition of rattlesnake for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

rattlesnake

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