rattlesnake

American  

[rat-l-sneyk] / ˈræt lˌsneɪk /

noun

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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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

Rattlesnake activity began in earnest in March, a month ahead of the start of the peak season, which is typically from April to October.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

Rattlesnake season is a misnomer in California because they’re active year-round, experts say.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

The Ramirez Rattlesnake Removal owner was featured along with his 2012 Ram Hemi pickup.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 28, 2025

The 11,200-acre state forest on Rattlesnake Mountain is owned and managed by the Department of Natural Resources, who partnered with Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance in 2012 to develop a trail network there.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 6, 2024

The Rattlesnake belongs to America, and many exaggerated stories are current concerning it.

From Natural History in Anecdote Illustrating the nature, habits, manners and customs of animals, birds, fishes, reptiles, etc., etc., etc. by Various