noun

entrapment

ihn-TRAP-muhnt

Entrapment (noun) means the act of luring someone, especially by police, into committing a crime so they can be arrested for it. Example: “The defense argued that the sting operation amounted to entrapment.”

noun

The act of luring someone, especially by police, into committing a crime so they can be arrested for it.

"The defense argued that the sting operation amounted to entrapment."

The state of being trapped.

"She described a feeling of entrapment in her unhappy marriage."

How to use entrapment

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUsually a legal term for police tricking someone into breaking the law; also used more generally for a feeling of being trapped.

Common pairings

a defense of entrapment claim entrapment

Word forms

entrapments plural

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The defense argued that the sting operation amounted to _____.

Etymology

From "entrap" plus the suffix "-ment," forming a noun describing the act or result.

Frequently asked questions

What does “entrapment” mean?

The word “entrapment” means the act of luring someone, especially by police, into committing a crime so they can be arrested for it. In plain terms, usually a legal term for police tricking someone into breaking the law; also used more generally for a feeling of being trapped.

How do you pronounce “entrapment”?

“Entrapment” is pronounced ihn-TRAP-muhnt (/ɪnˈtɹæpmənt/ in IPA).

How do you use “entrapment” in a sentence?

Here is “entrapment” used in a sentence: “The defense argued that the sting operation amounted to entrapment.”

What part of speech is “entrapment”?

“Entrapment” is a noun.

How many meanings does “entrapment” have?

“Entrapment” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of luring someone, especially by police, into committing a crime so they can be arrested for it.