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 taxidermy mounts in the visitor center — which include a bear, a mountain lion, a red fox, a porcupine, a great horned owl and a rattlesnake — all are wearing party hats. —John Meyer, Denver Post, 19 June 2025

Some of the most venomous snakes found in Texas are copperheads, cottonmouths and rattlesnakes. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2025

The Arizona Republic: Florence mom and nurse acted fast to save daughter bitten twice by rattlesnake When happened to Cara Reed? —Greta Cross, USA Today, 25 May 2025

Cottonmouth snake size How to identify a rattlesnake The habitat range of rattlesnakes reaches across the majority of the United States, primarily in the desert, mountains, prairies and along coastlines. —Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 11 July 2025

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