trap
trap
Trap (noun) means a device designed to catch or kill an animal. Example: “The farmer put a trap in the barn to catch the mice.”
noun
1
A device designed to catch or kill an animal.
"The farmer put a trap in the barn to catch the mice."
"A fox got its paw stuck in a metal trap."
"He set a trap by the stream to catch rabbits."
2
A trick or scheme designed to catch someone off guard.
"The email was a trap, set up to steal people's login details."
"Don't walk into the trap by answering his leading question."
"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.
"A smell came from the bathroom because the trap under the basin had dried out."
"Hair had built up in the shower trap and slowed the water."
"The plumber cleared a blockage in the sink trap."
verb
1
To catch someone or something, often using a trick or device.
"We trapped the mouse in a box and set it free outside."
"The police trapped the thieves by leaving a fake wallet on the table."
"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
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Word forms
- Plural
- traps
- Third person singular
- traps
- Past tense
- trapped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The farmer put a _____ in the barn to catch the mice.
Etymology
From Old English træppe, "trap, snare," from a Germanic root meaning "to tread or stamp" — related to "step" and "tread."
Related words
Rhymes for trap
See all rhymes for trap →Frequently asked questions
What does “trap” mean?
The word “trap” means a device designed to catch or kill an animal. In plain terms, a device or scheme meant to catch something or someone unaware.
How do you pronounce “trap”?
“Trap” is pronounced trap ([t̠ɹ̠̊˔æp] in IPA).
How do you use “trap” in a sentence?
Here is “trap” used in a sentence: “He set a trap by the stream to catch rabbits.”
What part of speech is “trap”?
Depending on how it is used, “trap” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “trap” come from?
The word “trap” comes from Old English. From Old English træppe, "trap, snare," from a Germanic root meaning "to tread or stamp" — related to "step" and "tread.".
Is “trap” a common word?
“Trap” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “trap” have?
“Trap” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a device designed to catch or kill an animal.
What is the difference between a trap and a snare?
A trap is any device designed to catch or kill an animal, covering a wide range of mechanisms. A snare is a specific type of trap that uses a loop of wire or cord to catch an animal, usually by the neck or leg. So every snare is a trap, but a trap can also be a cage, pit, or spring device.
What is the difference between a trap and a trick?
As a scheme, a trap is designed to catch someone off guard, often exposing or capturing them once they act. A trick is a broader term for any clever act meant to deceive, entertain, or outsmart, and it does not always aim to catch the person. A trap is a kind of trick specifically set to spring on its victim.
What are common expressions using the word trap?
Common phrases include "fall into a trap," "set a trap," "lay a trap," "walk into a trap," and "a trap for the unwary." There is also the idiom "keep your trap shut," an informal way of telling someone to stay quiet, where trap slangily means the mouth.
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