1. [N. Amer, informal] Venomous pit viper characterized by a rattle at the end of its tail, used as a warning signal; found in the Americas
   "The rattler's iconic rattle is made of interlocking segments of keratin";
   - rattlesnake
    
2. [N. Amer] A railway train consisting of freight cars
   "The rattler rumbled through the night, carrying cargo across the country";
   - freight train
    
3. Something that rattles
   "The baby's favourite toy was a colourful plastic rattler"

Derived forms: rattlers

Type of: pit viper, railroad train [N. Amer], railway train [Brit, Cdn], train

Part of: Crotalidae, family Crotalidae

Encyclopedia: Rattler