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
As Beau, Brake is tall and gaunt, with burning eyes, a rotter who looks like Steve Buscemi crossed with David Byrne crossed with a human rattlesnake who’s a lifelong junkie.
—
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 May 2024
Alex Wigglesworth gives us a fascinating portrait of Danielle Wall, who has dedicated her life to rescuing rattlesnakes.
—Carolyn Wells, Longreads, 7 May 2024
As someone who humanely relocates rattlesnakes that people find on their properties, Wall has seen these shifts from a unique vantage point.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2024
The Pacific rattlesnake is the only one that is venomous and therefore gets the most attention.
—Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 6 May 2024
Volatile weather and run-ins with wildlife and plants, such as rattlesnakes, mountain lions and poison oak, are just some of the elements that can derail a trip.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2024
Others accurately pointed out where the rattlesnake was — above the large patch of dirt on the left/middle portion of the image.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2024
There are 12 snake species in Idaho, and none are perhaps as dangerous as the Western rattlesnake and prairie rattlesnake, Idaho’s two venomous snakes.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 19 Apr. 2024
While unnerving, the buzzing sound of a rattlesnake is designed to warn you.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2024
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 May 2024
Alex Wigglesworth gives us a fascinating portrait of Danielle Wall, who has dedicated her life to rescuing rattlesnakes.
—Carolyn Wells, Longreads, 7 May 2024
As someone who humanely relocates rattlesnakes that people find on their properties, Wall has seen these shifts from a unique vantage point.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2024
The Pacific rattlesnake is the only one that is venomous and therefore gets the most attention.
—Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 6 May 2024
Volatile weather and run-ins with wildlife and plants, such as rattlesnakes, mountain lions and poison oak, are just some of the elements that can derail a trip.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2024
Others accurately pointed out where the rattlesnake was — above the large patch of dirt on the left/middle portion of the image.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2024
There are 12 snake species in Idaho, and none are perhaps as dangerous as the Western rattlesnake and prairie rattlesnake, Idaho’s two venomous snakes.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 19 Apr. 2024
While unnerving, the buzzing sound of a rattlesnake is designed to warn you.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rattlesnake.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Rattlesnake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rattlesnake. Accessed 17 May. 2024.
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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