entanglement

noun

en·​tan·​gle·​ment in-ˈtaŋ-gəl-mənt How to pronounce entanglement (audio)
en-
1
a
: the action of entangling : the state of being entangled
b
: something that entangles, confuses, or ensnares
a project delayed by legal entanglements
2
: the condition of being deeply involved
their entanglement in politics

Examples of entanglement in a Sentence

his life is greatly complicated by his romantic entanglements
Recent Examples on the Web The event lasted four years and led to changes in salmon and sea turtle migration routes, as well as a record toxic algae outbreak that impacted crab fishing, seabird mortalities, whale entanglements and sea lion babies. Li Cohen, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2024 Of those, nine have died as the result of entanglement, and at least 70 have been seen seriously injured by entanglement. USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 Neither the bite marks nor the entanglement in fishing gear seemed serious enough to kill the whale, the Washington Post reports, so the official cause of death remains a mystery. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 21 Feb. 2024 Fishing line entanglements are common in such waters. Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2024 Gray seals have a life span of 25-35 years, per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), but these lives can be cut short by oil spills, boat strikes, fishing gear entanglement, and pollution. Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 21 Feb. 2024 Eliding this truth, Hemingway remade this story of the entanglement of epidemic and vocation into a simpler and more romantic story of war and love—an easier tale to grasp. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024 Fishing equipment entanglements and vessel strikes are among the biggest threats to that population. Li Cohen, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2024 The leading causes of whale deaths include cargo vessel strikes, fishing gear entanglements and offshore oil drilling. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'entanglement.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of entanglement was in 1535

Dictionary Entries Near entanglement

Cite this Entry

“Entanglement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entanglement. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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