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
Suddenly, a rattlesnake appears at the lawyer’s feet.
—
Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2025
But, about halfway into the story, Proulx abandons her customary prose style, which is as coiled as a rattlesnake and about as sentimental, in order to cut loose and give the boys their first moment of physical tenderness.
—Michael Cunningham, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
None of this would be possible without a curious and microscopic arrangement on the rattlesnakes’ scales.
—Jason Bittel, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
The Golden State is home to eight species of rattlesnakes.
—Tanasia Kenney, Sacramento Bee, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rattlesnake
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.
Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2025
But, about halfway into the story, Proulx abandons her customary prose style, which is as coiled as a rattlesnake and about as sentimental, in order to cut loose and give the boys their first moment of physical tenderness.
—Michael Cunningham, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
None of this would be possible without a curious and microscopic arrangement on the rattlesnakes’ scales.
—Jason Bittel, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
The Golden State is home to eight species of rattlesnakes.
—Tanasia Kenney, Sacramento Bee, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rattlesnake
Cite this Entry
“Rattlesnake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rattlesnake. Accessed 13 Mar. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share