water snake

noun

: any of various snakes (especially genus Nerodia formerly included in the genus Natrix) that frequent or inhabit fresh water and feed largely on aquatic animals

Examples of water snake in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web His fluid motion — pulling the mesh nets from the water, swapping the old bait for a fresh chunk of porgy — was interrupted only by the occasional water snake on top of a trap or a turtle inside one. Rick Rojas Emily Kask, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Lofty pine trees shade the sun; pools of standing black water snake a path to an expansive freshwater lake. Danielle Amir Jackson, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2023 The team spotted native brown water snakes and a large gator. Patricia Mazzei, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2023 The snakes are believed to be northern water snakes and likely came from wetlands behind the hotel. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2023 The Florida water snake, or Nerodia fasciata pictiventris, is one of three southern water snake subspecies and indigenous to the Sunshine State. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Feb. 2020 The fountain, built in 1888, has several nymphs, plus four key water elements, a water snake, sea horse, swan and reptile. Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 3 May 2023 In Greek legend, the Hydra is a gigantic water snake with nine heads, only one of which is immortal. Martin Indyk, Foreign Affairs, 26 May 2020 Set across a massive 7,000 acres in Louisiana's infamous Atchafalaya Basin, the murky waters and impenetrable brush were lurking with predators — including territorial 10-foot alligators and North America's only venomous water snake, the cottonmouth. Steve Helling, PEOPLE.com, 11 Apr. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'water snake.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1527, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of water snake was in 1527

Dictionary Entries Near water snake

Cite this Entry

“Water snake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20snake. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

water snake

noun
: any of various snakes found in or near fresh waters and feeding largely on water-dwelling animals

More from Merriam-Webster on water snake

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!