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

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

How to identify venomous snakes The rattlesnake is the only native venomous snake in California, according to the University of California’s Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado updated August 5, Sacbee.com, 5 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