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

The bite comes after three people have died after being bitten by rattlesnakes in California, according to the California Poison Control System (CPCS). — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 10 July 2026

In most cases, a rattlesnake will inject venom with its bite. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026

Copperhead bites can be fatal, but their venom isn’t as potent as other snakes in North Carolina, such as the rattlesnake, Owens said. — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026

At the hospital, Padilla learned that a rattlesnake snake bit him three times, requiring 18 vials of antivenom to treat, KUSA reported. — David Chiu, PEOPLE, 6 July 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