rattled; rattling
ˈrat-liŋ 
ˈra-tᵊl-iŋ
1
: to make a rapid succession of short sharp noises
the windows rattled in the wind
2
: to chatter incessantly and aimlessly
3
: to move with a clatter or rattle
also
: to be or move about in a place or station too large or grand
rattled around the big old house
1
a
: a device that produces a rattle
specifically
: a case containing pellets used as a baby's toy
b
: the sound-producing organ on a rattlesnake's tail
3
Synonyms
Examples of rattle in a Sentence
Verb (1)
the children tromped through the kitchen, making the plates on the shelf rattle
busily rattling away about our vacation plans, we didn't listen to the announcements and missed our flight
she rattled on and on about all her European shopping trips, but I wasn't really listening
don't let a little mistake rattle you while you're playing during the piano recital
Noun
I'd go nuts if I had to endure the rattle of that bottling plant every day.
Recent Examples on the Web
David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 22 June 2024
The surveillance system was welcomed by Harford County residents rattled by the killing of Rachel Morin, a 37-year-old mother of five whose body was found last August in a wooded area near the trail.
—Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 22 June 2024
Lexi Carson, Variety, 20 June 2024
The biggest difference is that all the squeaks and rattles that came standard from the factory can't hide behind a clattery diesel engine anymore.
—Alex Goy, Ars Technica, 22 May 2024
John Bacon, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2023
The ashes of Olivier were interred in the abbey in 1991; at the memorial service, a recording of the famous speech was played, filling the church with the actor’s glorious bellicosity and echoing over the tomb of King Henry, whose valor inspired the words that now rattled his bones.
—Peter Ross, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for rattle 
Verb
Markets were rattled by Macron’s election gamble, which followed an unexpectedly strong showing by the far-right National Rally in June 9 balloting for the European Parliament.
—David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 22 June 2024
The surveillance system was welcomed by Harford County residents rattled by the killing of Rachel Morin, a 37-year-old mother of five whose body was found last August in a wooded area near the trail.
—Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 22 June 2024
Noun
To create that, Djawadi gave the cue a little rattle.
—Lexi Carson, Variety, 20 June 2024
The biggest difference is that all the squeaks and rattles that came standard from the factory can't hide behind a clattery diesel engine anymore.
—Alex Goy, Ars Technica, 22 May 2024
Verb
Storms move farther east The severe weather that rattled more than a dozen states on Tuesday was expected to move east on Wednesday.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2023
The ashes of Olivier were interred in the abbey in 1991; at the memorial service, a recording of the famous speech was played, filling the church with the actor’s glorious bellicosity and echoing over the tomb of King Henry, whose valor inspired the words that now rattled his bones.
—Peter Ross, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for rattle
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rattle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near rattle
Cite this Entry
“Rattle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rattle. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rattle
1 of 2 verb
rat·tle
ˈrat-ᵊl
rattled; rattling
ˈrat-liŋ
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to make or cause to make a rattle
windows rattling in the wind
2
: chatter sense 2
rattled on and on about the party
3
: to move with a rattle
the old truck rattled down the street
4
: to say or do in a brisk lively way
rattled off the answers
5
: to disturb the calmness of : upset
the question rattled the speaker
rattle
2 of 2 noun1
: a series of short sharp sounds : clatter
2
: a device (as a toy) for making a rattling sound
3
: a rattling organ at the end of a rattlesnake's tail made up of horny joints
Medical Definition
rattle
noun
rat·tle
ˈrat-ᵊl
1
: the sound-producing organ on a rattlesnake's tail
2
: a throat noise caused by air passing through mucus
specifically
: death rattle compare rale, rhonchus
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