trip wire
noun
1
: a low-placed concealed wire used especially in warfare to trip an enemy or trespasser and usually to trigger an alarm or explosive device when moved
2
: something (such as a small military force) intended to function like a trip wire (as to set a larger military force in motion)
Examples of trip wire in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
No cutting-edge technology is without ethical trip wires.
—
Raghu Para, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Voters have ideas Lawmakers are back in the Capitol this week with big ambitions, a messy calendar and a thousand potential trip wires, especially among Republicans who call the shots.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 24 Mar. 2025
This incredibly versatile kit includes over 25 separate activities to make essential spy gear like trip wires, voice changers, and motion sensors.
—Anja Webb, Parents, 6 Mar. 2025
Attached to the stake was a trip wire, and attached to the trip wire was, presumably, an OZM-72 antipersonnel mine.
—Michael Holtz, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trip wire
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Raghu Para, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Voters have ideas Lawmakers are back in the Capitol this week with big ambitions, a messy calendar and a thousand potential trip wires, especially among Republicans who call the shots.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 24 Mar. 2025
This incredibly versatile kit includes over 25 separate activities to make essential spy gear like trip wires, voice changers, and motion sensors.
—Anja Webb, Parents, 6 Mar. 2025
Attached to the stake was a trip wire, and attached to the trip wire was, presumably, an OZM-72 antipersonnel mine.
—Michael Holtz, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trip wire
Cite this Entry
“Trip wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trip%20wire. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share