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entrapment

noun en·trap·ment \ in-ˈtrap-mənt , en- \
|Updated on: 5 Jul 2018

Definition of entrapment

1 a : the action or process of entrapping
b : the condition of being entrapped
2 : the action of luring an individual into committing a crime in order to prosecute the person for it
3 medical : chronic compression of a peripheral nerve (such as the median nerve) usually between ligamentous and bony surfaces that is marked by pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness

See entrapment defined for English-language learners

Examples of entrapment in a Sentence

  1. her entrapment in an unhappy marriage

  2. His lawyer argued that he was a victim of police entrapment.

Recent Examples of entrapment from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'entrapment.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of entrapment

1597

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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ENTRAPMENT Defined for English Language Learners

entrapment

noun

Definition of entrapment for English Language Learners

  • : the act of entrapping someone or something or the condition of being entrapped

  • : the illegal act of tricking someone into committing a crime so that the person you have tricked can be arrested

Medical Dictionary

entrapment

noun en·trap·ment \ in-ˈtrap-mənt, en- \

medical Definition of entrapment

: chronic compression of a peripheral nerve (as the median nerve or ulnar nerve) usually between ligamentous and bony surfaces that is characterized especially by pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness

Law Dictionary

entrapment

noun en·trap·ment

legal Definition of entrapment

1 : the action or process of entrapping
2 : the state or condition of being entrapped; also : the affirmative defense of having been entrapped by a government agent (as an officer or informant) — see also predispose
Note: Entrapment is available as a defense only when an agent of the state or federal government has provided the encouragement or inducement. This defense is sometimes allowed in administrative proceedings (as for the revocation of a license to practice medicine) as well as criminal proceedings. In order to establish entrapment, the defendant has the burden of proving either that he or she would not have committed the crime but for the undue persuasion or fraud of the government agent, or that the encouragement was such that it created a risk that persons not inclined to commit the crime would commit it, depending on the jurisdiction. When entrapment is pleaded, evidence (as character evidence) regarding the defendant that might otherwise have been excluded is allowed to be admitted.

Learn More about entrapment

  1. Spanish Central: Translation of entrapment Nglish: Translation of entrapment for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of entrapment for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about entrapment

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