diamondback

American  

[dahy-muhnd-bak, dahy-uh-] / ˈdaɪ məndˌbæk, ˈdaɪ ə- /

adjective

1. bearing diamond-shaped marks, designs, or configurations on the back.

---

noun

1. diamondback rattlesnake.

2. diamondback terrapin.

3. diamondback moth.

diamondback British  

/ ˈdaɪəməndˌbæk /

noun

1. Also called: diamondback terrapin, diamondback turtle. any edible North American terrapin of the genus Malaclemys, esp M. terrapin, occurring in brackish and tidal waters and having diamond-shaped markings on the shell: family Emydidae

2. a large North American rattlesnake, Crotalus adamanteus, having cream-and-grey diamond-shaped markings

---

Etymology

Origin of diamondback

First recorded in 1810–20; diamond + back ¹

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

diamondback

Their approach uses toxin-blocking proteins that western diamondback rattlesnakes evolved to protect themselves from venom.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 8, 2026

Seven native rattlesnake species are in California, including the Mojave, Western diamondback, red diamond, Southern Pacific, Northern Pacific, Great Basin, and the speckled rattlesnake.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 23, 2026

It turned out to be a diamondback terrapin.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2025

There actually were 20 snakes — five adult western diamondback rattlers and 15 babies.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 14, 2023

It had the head of a lion with a blood-caked mane, the body and hooves of a giant goat, and a serpent for a tail, a ten-foot-long diamondback growing right out of its shaggy behind.

From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---