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

Officials in a California county are urging residents to exercise extra caution after seven people have been bitten by rattlesnakes in the area this year. —Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 4 May 2026

The California Poison Control System also notes that rattlesnakes are venomous and their bites can be dangerous or even life-threatening, with symptoms potentially developing within minutes or hours. —Staff Author, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026

Despite the uptick in serpent bites and related deaths, a fatal rattlesnake bite remains a rare occurrence. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026

If bitten by a rattlesnake, the county says: • Stay calm. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 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