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water snake
noun
: any of various snakes (especially genus Nerodia formerly included in the genus Natrix) that frequent or inhabit fresh water and feed largely on aquatic animals
Examples of water snake in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
On a water snake, there’s no mask, just little vertical stripes below the eye.
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Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2024
For one thing, rattlesnakes have different fat profiles than Chinese water snakes.
—
Jordan Friedman, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024
My friend the artist and naturalist George Sanford McGee, who came with us, spotted a gorgeous brown water snake napping on one knee.
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John Jeremiah Sullivan, Travel + Leisure, 24 July 2024
At first, the friends thought the snake was a non-venomous water snake, but realized later, once the snake had swam closer, that the reptile was a venomous diamondback rattlesnake.
—
Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 3 May 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1527, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near water snake
Cite this Entry
“Water snake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20snake. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
water snake
noun
: any of various snakes found in or near fresh waters and feeding largely on water-dwelling animals
More from Merriam-Webster on water snake
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for water snake
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about water snake
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