death trap

noun

: a structure or situation that is potentially very dangerous to life

Examples of death trap in a Sentence

That old elevator is a death trap. The factory was a death trap with too few exits for the workers to use in case of a fire.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Aside from being something of a death trap, the Goblin idea also fell to an alternative approach of in-flight refueling for extending the range of escorting jet fighters – a much safer way of fulfilling the mission that didn't need to take up bomb bay space needed for munitions. New Atlas, 8 Jan. 2026 People who live and work in the Overbrook area say the stretch of Lancaster Avenue between 50th and 60th streets can be a death trap. Liz Crawford, CBS News, 26 Dec. 2025 In what appeared like record time, Bangladesh had rehabilitated its reputation from a death trap for workers to one of the safest countries for them to ply their trade. Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 15 Dec. 2025 At second place — with 57 deaths — is Fair Havens Center in Miami Springs, which became a death trap in the first few months of lockdown. Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for death trap

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of death trap was in 1828

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Cite this Entry

“Death trap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/death%20trap. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

death trap

noun
: an object or situation likely to cause death
that old elevator is a death trap
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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