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

Example Sentences

Her phone was “ringing off the hook,” she said, with people who were calling about rattlesnake sightings all over the state.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

On average, Poison Control reports 200 to 300 rattlesnake bites annually.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

“Unfortunately,” Taylor noted, “that really led to a lot of rattlesnake encounters of the negative kind.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Nationally, about five people die from rattlesnake bites in an entire year, according to health officials.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Wells pretended not to notice; but like a horse that has heard the hum of a rattlesnake, he shied away from the betrayed man’s venomous vicinity.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote