rattlesnake

American  

[rat-l-sneyk] / ˈræt lˌsneɪk /

noun

• rattlesnakes
  plural

1. any of several New World pit vipers of the genera Crotalus and Sistrurus, having a rattle composed of a series of horny, interlocking elements at the end of the tail.

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rattlesnake British  

/ ˈrætəlˌsneɪk /

noun

1. any of the venomous New World snakes constituting the genera Crotalus and Sistrurus , such as C. horridus ( black or timber rattlesnake ): family Crotalidae (pit vipers). They have a series of loose horny segments on the tail that are vibrated to produce a buzzing or whirring sound

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• rattlesnakes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of rattlesnake

An Americanism dating back to 1620–30; rattle ¹ + snake

Compare meaning

How does rattlesnake compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• roadrunner vs. rattlesnake

Explanation

A rattlesnake is a long, venomous reptile with a tail that shakes, making a sound like a maraca, before it bites. When you're camping in the Arizona desert, you'll want to keep an eye out for rattlesnakes. Rattlesnakes get their name from the rattle at the end of their tails that's composed of rattling pieces of keratin, the same kind of protein found in your fingernails. In order to scare off predators, rattlesnakes noisily vibrate their tails, warning that they're ready to strike. While these snakes cause most snake bites in the U.S., they only attack if they're feeling threatened, and rattlesnake bites aren't deadly if they're treated right away.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rattlesnake rattlesnakes

I tracked her down to the high desert in the western US - rattlesnake country.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

In a typical rattlesnake season, which lasts from April to October, there’s an average of 290 to 390 bites annually statewide, according to the California Poison Control System.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026

In the last eight years, Anderson said there have been at least six cats who suffered rattlesnake bites, and every feline has recovered once they received anti-venom treatment.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026

Hayes emphasized that a bite from any rattlesnake remains a medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 10, 2026

Then they'd both have to face the Warden, and her rattlesnake fingers.

From "Holes" by Louis Sachar

Mr. Kneale could have added to his list of creatures with which Floridians are willing to coexist: sharks, raccoons, armadillos, possums, rattlesnakes and bugs of every variety.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

Fourteen of the 34 rattlesnakes carried the parasite.

From Science Daily ● May 26, 2026

"We hypothesize that certain species with poorer general population health, specifically rattlesnakes with historic and current increased risks of human persecution, are likely more susceptible to infection with subsequent disease," said Mishin.

From Science Daily ● May 26, 2026

The odds of run-ins between outdoor enthusiasts and rattlesnakes have increased as people have hit the trails these last two months.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026

Feral horses, belonging to my grandfather, ran wild over thick banks of water hemlock, and there were more than a few rattlesnakes.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover