rattlesnake
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of rattlesnake
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How does rattlesnake compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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Hayes emphasized that a bite from any rattlesnake remains a medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 10, 2026
Christopher Gadsden’s coiled rattlesnake “Don’t Tread On Me” flag from 1775 symbolized that fight for freedom: Don’t tell me what to do.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026
The midtempo “Ridin’ High” starts with a descending harp glissando that pours into a synthesizer seasoned by a vibraslap’s rattlesnake hiss.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 25, 2026
In 2025, the county reported a total of nine rattlesnake bites.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026
He was four, maybe five years old, and he had never seen a rattlesnake.
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
After reviewing the history and spread of the myth, researchers concluded that bites from adult rattlesnakes are generally more dangerous because adults carry and inject much larger amounts of venom.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 10, 2026
A common belief that baby rattlesnakes are more dangerous than adults has been overturned by a new study from Loma Linda University.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 10, 2026
Fourteen of the 34 rattlesnakes carried the parasite.
From Science Daily ● May 26, 2026
The best way to avoid rattlesnakes is to stay on a designated trail and be aware of where you’re stepping.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 21, 2026
Here's a good rule to remember about rattlesnakes and scorpions: If you don't bother them, they won't bother you.
From "Holes" by Louis Sachar
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
