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 city of San Diego Parks and Recreation department states Black Mountain Open Space Park has more than 80 species of birds, bobcats, deer, frogs, kangaroo rats and rattlesnakes. —Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025

These are one of four venomous snakes found in Texas alongside rattlesnakes, cottonmouths (also known as water moccasins) and coral snakes. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Sep. 2025

Pygmy rattlesnakes are found near water and sometimes in rocky uplands, pine woods and glades, according to the TWRA. —Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Sep. 2025

While handling a group of baby rattlesnakes, a video shows a North Carolina rescue team using tongs, a tube and other equipment. —Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 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