entrapment

noun

en·​trap·​ment in-ˈtrap-mənt 

en-

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

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 on the Web

Over time, this dynamic can create a sense of entrapment. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025

Landau starts thinking about how the ensemble will navigate a change into another scene at the encampment that has sprung up around Floyd’s entrapment. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025

This financial entrapment varies significantly by industry. —Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Her languid demeanor, even in the face of minor entrapment, has led to plenty of laughter among viewers online. —John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Medical Definition

entrapment

noun

en·​trap·​ment in-ˈtrap-mənt, en- 

: 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

Legal Definition

entrapment

noun

en·​trap·​ment

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.