coral snake
noun
1
: any of several venomous chiefly tropical New World elapid snakes (genera Micrurus and Micruroides) brilliantly banded in red, black, and yellow or white that include two (Micrurus fulvius and Micruroides euryxanthus) ranging northward into the southern U.S.
2
: any of several harmless snakes resembling the coral snakes
Examples of coral snake in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
All sorts of animals that would horrify the average homeowner — like a four-foot-long venomous coral snake — were now his neighbors, which led to deeper reflections.
—
Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 11 Nov. 2024
This family of about 400 species includes coral snakes, cobras, and mambas and is considered medically important since their bites can destroy tissue, cause the heart to collapse, induce blindness, and more.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Sep. 2024
In the Southeast, there are several venomous snakes that could potentially cause an injury to a human or pet: three species of rattlesnakes (eastern diamondback, timber, and pygmy), copperhead, cotton mouth (also known as water moccasins), and coral snake, says Maerz.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2024
For the Eastern coral snake, the red bands touch yellow bands.
—Cole Sikes Communications and Marketing Specialist Alabama Cooperative Extension System, al, 25 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for coral snake 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 11 Nov. 2024
This family of about 400 species includes coral snakes, cobras, and mambas and is considered medically important since their bites can destroy tissue, cause the heart to collapse, induce blindness, and more.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Sep. 2024
In the Southeast, there are several venomous snakes that could potentially cause an injury to a human or pet: three species of rattlesnakes (eastern diamondback, timber, and pygmy), copperhead, cotton mouth (also known as water moccasins), and coral snake, says Maerz.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2024
For the Eastern coral snake, the red bands touch yellow bands.
—Cole Sikes Communications and Marketing Specialist Alabama Cooperative Extension System, al, 25 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for coral snake
Dictionary Entries Near coral snake
Cite this Entry
“Coral snake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coral%20snake. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
coral snake
noun
: any of several venomous chiefly tropical New World elapid snakes of the genus Micrurus that are brilliantly banded in red, black, and yellow or white and include two (M. fulvius and M. euryxanthus) ranging northward into the southern United States
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share