snake

1 of 2

noun

1
: any of numerous limbless scaled reptiles (suborder Serpentes synonym Ophidia) with a long tapering body and with salivary glands often modified to produce venom which is injected through grooved or tubular fangs
2
: a worthless or treacherous fellow
3
: something (such as a plumber's snake) resembling a snake
snakelike adjective

snake

2 of 2

verb

snaked; snaking

transitive verb

1
: to wind (one's way, one's body in crawling, etc.) in the manner of a snake
2
: to move (something, such as logs) by dragging

intransitive verb

: to crawl, move, or extend silently, secretly, or sinuously

Examples of snake in a Sentence

Noun I thought she was my friend, but she turned out to be a snake in the grass. snakes are cold-blooded, so they regulate their body temperature by alternately basking in sunlight and seeking shade Verb The road snakes through the mountains. Cables snaked across the floor. Technicians snaked cables through the set. He snaked his way through the crowd.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
For older children, Aaron continues his adventures with the other Questioneers in a chapter book series, including Aaron Slater and the Sneaky Snake, in which his art saves a snake named Vern from a disgruntled city council. Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 15 Oct. 2025 Nearby was mostly rocks and snake holes. Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
Debates have raged in the busy industry program, standby ticket queues have snaked outside venues for the hottest premieres and the stars — in their droves — have been out in force and on major charm offensives, with distributors using the fest to launch both awards and release campaigns. Alex Ritman, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025 The campers and counselors died after torrential rain forced water levels on the river, which snakes through multiple summer camps in the region, to rise from 3 feet to 30 feet in a matter of hours. Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for snake

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English snaca; akin to Old Norse snakr snake, Old High German snahhan to crawl

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1653, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of snake was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Snake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snake. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

snake

1 of 2 noun
1
: any of numerous limbless reptiles that have a long body and salivary glands often capable of producing venom which is injected through fangs
2
: a mean or treacherous person
snakelike adjective

snake

2 of 2 verb
snaked; snaking
: to crawl, wind, or move like a snake

Medical Definition

snake

noun
: any of numerous limbless scaled reptiles (suborder Serpentes synonym Ophidia) with a long tapering body and with salivary glands often modified to produce venom which is injected through grooved or tubular fangs

Geographical Definition

Snake

geographical name

river 1038 miles (1670 kilometers) long in the northwestern U.S. flowing from northwestern Wyoming across southern Idaho and into the Columbia River in Washington

More from Merriam-Webster on snake

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