entrapment

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

Updated on: 10 May 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

her entrapment in an unhappy marriage
His lawyer argued that he was a victim of police entrapment.

Recent Examples of entrapment from the Web

Atlanta Fire operating at a working fire with entrapment, 1400 block of Murray St SE. 1 confirmed fatality, fire is under control and out at this time.

— raisa habersham, ajc, "BREAKING: Man killed in southeast Atlanta fire," 7 May 2018
As fans age with the Boss, those same themes of entrapment and freedom have taken on new meaning while, at the same time, attracting new audiences, such as millennials and those who came of age during the recession.

— matt giles, Longreads, "The Escapism of Bruce Springsteen," 4 May 2018
There was reported entrapment, but a search of the building didn’t find anyone.

— Indianapolis Star, "3 firefighters hurt battling Castleton apartment blaze," 3 May 2018
The flip side of that promise of social validation, however, is the threat of domestic entrapment.

— rachel aviv, The New Yorker, "Sheila Heti Wrestles with a Big Decision in “Motherhood”," 30 Apr. 2018
Crawford County Emergency Management Director Brad Thomas said there were at least three entrapments following the twister.

— CBS News, "Massive storm system spawns tornado in Arkansas, blizzard in Plains," 14 Apr. 2018
The entrapments of reenactments and the seemingly endless cycle of self-loathing that can ensue are too high a price to pay.

— larry ruhl, Longreads, "Sober Gay Man Seeks…What, Exactly, He’s No Longer Sure," 12 Apr. 2018
Nix told the reporters, who posed as potential clients, that the firm’s services included the potential to try to induce targets with bribes, entrapment by prostitutes and spreading disinformation.

— Bloomberg.com, "Facebook's Zuckerberg to Break Silence as Global Scrutiny Grows," 21 Mar. 2018
But entrapment feels wrong, spying feels wrong, and there's a sense that Americans should have privacy in their own homes.

— randy dotinga, The Christian Science Monitor, "The 19th-century censor who pushed Americans too far," 10 Apr. 2018

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

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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entrapment

Definition of entrapment

Examples of entrapment in a Sentence

Recent Examples of entrapment from the Web

First Known Use of entrapment

ENTRAPMENT Defined for English Language Learners

entrapment

Definition of entrapment for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

entrapment

medical Definition of entrapment

Law Dictionary

entrapment

legal Definition of entrapment

Learn More about entrapment

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First Known Use of entrapment

ENTRAPMENT Defined for English Language Learners

entrapment

Definition of entrapment for English Language Learners

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entrapment

medical Definition of entrapment

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entrapment

legal Definition of entrapment

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