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 snake rattled angrily, thrashed wildly, and sprayed considerable rattlesnake musk or scent. —Dr. C. E. Kuschel, Outdoor Life, 9 Apr. 2026

Other estimates say only 10% to 20% of rattlesnake bites don’t contain venom, the Los Angeles Times reported. —Don Sweeney april 9, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026

Dangerous reptiles like cobras, mambas, vipers, anacondas and rattlesnakes are all banned from private ownership. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026

Dowd emphasized that all rattlesnake bites reported in Ventura County this year have been the result of accidental encounters. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 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