dragnet

noun

drag·​net ˈdrag-ˌnet 

1

a

: a net drawn along the bottom of a body of water

b

: a net used on the ground (as to capture small game)

2

: a network of measures for apprehension (as of criminals)

Examples of dragnet in a Sentence

Nine suspects were caught in the police dragnet.

Recent Examples on the Web

The next morning, as Storen’s deputies fanned out to commence what would almost certainly be the largest election-crime dragnet in American history, Storen placed a phone call to City Hall. —Sasha Issenberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2024

Over the three months since Storen’s dragnet, 88 had pleaded guilty, helping both to build the government’s case and to thin the unmanageable number of defendants to 28. —Sasha Issenberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2024

Some analysts also worry that more lawfully present residents could become ensnared in a deportation dragnet already known for error. —Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Aug. 2024

For months, Wardle feared that anyone who emailed her would be pulled into the dragnet. —Naomi Nix, Washington Post, 24 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

dragnet

noun

drag·​net ˈdrag-ˌnet 

1

: a net dragged along the bottom of a body of water

2

: a series of planned actions for catching a criminal