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

Outside, there used to be a pit, maybe 10 feet deep, filled with rattlesnakes. —Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026

The county advises that people who see a rattlesnake on their property keep an eye on it from a safe distance and call the county Department of Animal Services at 619-236‑2341. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026

Those serpents include six rattlesnake species and non-rattlers, such as the Copperhead, Water Moccasin (or Cottonmouth) and Eastern Coral snakes. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026

Although deputies didn't specify what species of snake fatally bit the woman, rattlesnakes are the only venomous snakes native to California, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. —Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 24 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