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
However, the process of repeatedly taking fat from rattlesnakes proved cumbersome.
—
Jordan Friedman, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024
The collar’s microphone and sensors can detect rattlesnakes by listening for the sound of a rattle, or detect if a pet goes missing or is kidnapped.
—Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 15 Oct. 2024
The rowdy outing also boasts a run-in with rattlesnakes, a couple of musical numbers and a Cheeks family reunion, featuring Johnny Knoxville as twin brother Randy, Craig Robinson as her proud Pa and versatile voice actor Grey DeLisle as four other characters.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Aug. 2024
John Madden spoke of Broncos cornerback Louis Wright the way rangers describe rattlesnakes on the Devil’s Backbone trail.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 30 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for rattlesnake 
Jordan Friedman, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024
The collar’s microphone and sensors can detect rattlesnakes by listening for the sound of a rattle, or detect if a pet goes missing or is kidnapped.
—Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 15 Oct. 2024
The rowdy outing also boasts a run-in with rattlesnakes, a couple of musical numbers and a Cheeks family reunion, featuring Johnny Knoxville as twin brother Randy, Craig Robinson as her proud Pa and versatile voice actor Grey DeLisle as four other characters.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Aug. 2024
John Madden spoke of Broncos cornerback Louis Wright the way rangers describe rattlesnakes on the Devil’s Backbone trail.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 30 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for rattlesnake
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 5 Nov. 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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