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

Arrival afternoon consists of a breath-work class and a short hike on property—which included, to my dismay, a timber-rattlesnake sighting. — Johanna Wolfe, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2026

Multiple rescue teams worked together and found a hiker who had been bitten by a rattlesnake in the Angeles Forest earlier this month. — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

There have been steep climbs, stretches of extreme heat, missed turns and even warnings to watch out for rattlesnakes. — Marlee Ginter, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Park rangers received reports of three dogs being bitten by rattlesnakes at Westminster Hills Open Space, city spokesperson Sara Stiehl said. — Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 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