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Definition of western rattlesnake
western rattlesnake
Plural:western rattlesnakes
western rattlesnake Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
6
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
North American A venomous pit viper (Crotalus oreganus) native to western North America, characterized by a broad triangular head, heat-sensing facial pits, and a distinct rattle at the end of its tail used to warn off potential threats.
Example
"While hiking the rugged trails of California, the guide warned us to watch our step and listen for the distinctive sound of a Western rattlesnake."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from 'Western', denoting its primary geographic distribution in western North America, and 'rattlesnake', referring to the interlocking keratinous rings on its tail that produce a warning sound.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Western rattlesnake. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/western rattlesnake