coral snake
noun
1
: any of several venomous chiefly tropical New World elapid snakes (genera Micrurus and Micruroides) brilliantly banded in red, black, and yellow or white that include two (Micrurus fulvius and Micruroides euryxanthus) ranging northward into the southern U.S.
2
: any of several harmless snakes resembling the coral snakes
Examples of coral snake in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That makes people less likely to get a venomous bite from a coral snake.
—
Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 Mar. 2026
Common venomous snakes in the state include rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, and coral snakes, with rattlesnakes being the most common.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
In one YouTube video, Stanberry holds a venomous coral snake, explaining the differences between the species and other similar-looking snakes.
—Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
In the Southeast, there are several venomous snakes that could potentially cause an injury to a human or pet: three species of rattlesnakes (eastern diamondback, timber, and pygmy), copperhead, cotton mouth (also known as water moccasins), and coral snake, says Maerz.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2025
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Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 Mar. 2026
Common venomous snakes in the state include rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, and coral snakes, with rattlesnakes being the most common.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
In one YouTube video, Stanberry holds a venomous coral snake, explaining the differences between the species and other similar-looking snakes.
—Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
In the Southeast, there are several venomous snakes that could potentially cause an injury to a human or pet: three species of rattlesnakes (eastern diamondback, timber, and pygmy), copperhead, cotton mouth (also known as water moccasins), and coral snake, says Maerz.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coral snake
Cite this Entry
“Coral snake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coral%20snake. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
coral snake
noun
: any of several venomous chiefly tropical New World elapid snakes of the genera Micrurus and Micruroides that are brilliantly banded in red, black, and yellow or white and include two (Micrurus fulvius and Micruroides euryxanthus) ranging northward into the southern United States
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