Illustration of rattlesnake
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
Examples of rattlesnake in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Golden State is home to eight species of rattlesnakes.
—
Tanasia Kenney, Sacramento Bee, 11 Feb. 2025
With golden eyes, velvet voice and smooth gait, Pierre is like a puma prowling across the screen, but ultimately his character’s temperament is much more like a rattlesnake — coiled and ready to strike when threatened.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2024
Snow, rain, thunder, lighting and rattlesnakes were common sights in the remote mountains where the limited series was filmed.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025
Not a single one of the 11 rattlesnakes climbed the wall, video shows.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rattlesnake 
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Tanasia Kenney, Sacramento Bee, 11 Feb. 2025
With golden eyes, velvet voice and smooth gait, Pierre is like a puma prowling across the screen, but ultimately his character’s temperament is much more like a rattlesnake — coiled and ready to strike when threatened.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2024
Snow, rain, thunder, lighting and rattlesnakes were common sights in the remote mountains where the limited series was filmed.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025
Not a single one of the 11 rattlesnakes climbed the wall, video shows.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rattlesnake
Dictionary Entries Near rattlesnake
Cite this Entry
“Rattlesnake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rattlesnake. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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