noun
trap
trap
noun
1
A device designed to catch or kill an animal.
"He set a trap by the stream to catch rabbits."
2
A trick or scheme designed to catch someone off guard.
"The question was a trap designed to make the witness contradict himself."
3
A bend in a drainpipe that holds water to block sewer gas from escaping.
"The plumber cleared a blockage in the sink trap."
verb
1
To catch someone or something, often using a trick or device.
"Rangers trapped and relocated the bear away from the campsite."
How to Use Trap
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA device or scheme meant to catch something or someone unaware.
Common pairings
set a trap
fall into a trap
trap door
mouse trap
Word Forms
trapped past tense, trapped past tense, traps plural, traps plural, traps plural, traps singular, traps singular
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Etymology
From Old English træppe, "trap, snare," from a Germanic root meaning "to tread or stamp" — related to "step" and "tread."