caltrop

noun

cal·​trop ˈkal-trəp 

ˈkȯl-

variants or less commonly calthrop

ˈkal-thrəp 

ˈkȯl-

1

a

caltrops also calthrops plural in form but singular or plural in construction : star thistle sense 1

b

: puncture vine

also : any of various related herbs (genera Tribulus and Kallstroemia) of the same family (Zygophyllaceae, the caltrop family)

2

: a device with four metal points so arranged that when any three are on the ground the fourth projects upward as a hazard to the hooves of horses or to pneumatic tires

Examples of caltrop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When the police were eventually able to get past the garbage trucks, their tires were destroyed by caltrops (clusters of nails), which were thrown out of the escaping Audis along nearby streets. —Barry Levitt, TIME, 21 Feb. 2025

Earlier this year there were many reports of drones dropping caltrops, spiked metal objects which burst tires, on to roads at night. —David Hambling, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024

Beginning with orange, red, and yellow hues as a nod to harvest season, the team also chose to integrate water caltrops and persimmons as symbols of abundance and transformation. —Liam Hess, Vogue, 23 Nov. 2023

The book’s cover image reflects the internal shape of the novel: a caltrop. —Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, 6 Jan. 2022

Tuscaloosa police spokeswoman Stephanie Taylor said officers responded after a security guard noticed several homemade caltrop spikes - which cause tire blowouts - in the roadway and parking lot, Taylor said. —Carol Robinson | [e-mail], al, 15 Dec. 2022

During a search warrant, investigators learned that the man had purchased 170 caltrop spikes through his Amazon account. —Connor Sanders, The Salt Lake Tribune, 2 Nov. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Middle English caltrappe, alteration of calketrappe star thistle, from Old English calcatrippe, from Medieval Latin calcatrippa

First Known Use

1519, in the meaning defined at sense 2