trap
1 of 4noun (1)
ˈtrap 
1
: a device for taking game or other animals
especially : one that holds by springing shut suddenly
2
a
: something by which one is caught or stopped unawares
also : a position or situation from which it is difficult or impossible to escape
b
: a football play in which a defensive player is allowed to cross the line of scrimmage and then is blocked from the side while the ballcarrier advances through the spot vacated by the defensive player
c
: the act or an instance of trapping the ball in soccer
d
: a defensive maneuver in basketball in which two defenders converge quickly on the ball handler to steal the ball or force a bad pass
3
a
: a device for hurling clay pigeons into the air
b
: sand trap
c
: a piece of leather or section of interwoven leather straps between the thumb and index finger of a baseball glove that forms an extension of the pocket
4
slang : mouth
5
: a light usually one-horse carriage with springs
6
: any of various devices for preventing passage of something often while allowing other matter to proceed
especially : a device for drains or sewers consisting of a bend or partitioned chamber in which the liquid forms a seal to prevent the passage of sewer gas
7
traps plural : a group of percussion instruments (such as a bass drum, snare drums, and cymbals) used especially in a dance or jazz band
8
: an arrangement of rock strata that favors the accumulation of oil and gas
9
traps plural [speed trap] : a measured stretch of a course over which electronic timing devices measure the speed of a vehicle (such as a racing car or dragster)
trap
2 of 4verb (1)
trapped; trapping
transitive verb
1
a
: to catch or take in or as if in a trap : entrap
b
: to place in a restricted position : confine
trapped in the burning wreck
2
: to provide or set (a place) with traps
3
a
: stop, hold
these mountains trap rains and fogs generated over the ocean 
Amer. Guide Series: Calif.
Amer. Guide Series: Calif. b
: to separate out (something, such as water from steam)
4
a
: to catch (something, such as a baseball) immediately after a bounce
b
: to block out (a defensive football player) by means of a trap
c
: to stop and gain control of (a soccer ball) with a part of the body other than the hands or arms
intransitive verb
1
: to engage in trapping animals (as for furs)
2
: to make a defensive trap in basketball
trapper noun
trap
3 of 4verb (2)
trapped; trapping
transitive verb
: to adorn with or as if with trappings
trap
4 of 4noun (2)
: traprock
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- ambush
- net
- snare
- web
Verb (1)
- catch up
- enmesh
- immesh
- ensnare
- ensnarl
- entangle
- entoil
- entrap
- mesh
- net
- snare
- tangle
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English, from Old English treppe & Anglo-French trape (of Germanic origin); akin to Middle Dutch trappe trap, stair, Old English treppan to tread
Verb (2)
Middle English trappen, from trappe caparison, from Anglo-French trape, probably from Medieval Latin trapus cloth, by-form of Late Latin drappus
Noun (2)
Swedish trapp, from trappa stair, from Middle Low German trappe; akin to Middle Dutch trappe stair
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Verb (2)
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
1794, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing trap
Kids Definition
trap 1 of 2
noun
ˈtrap
1
: a device for catching animals
2
: something by which someone is caught or stopped by surprise
Police set a trap for the criminal.
3
: a light one-horse carriage with springs
4
: a device that allows something to pass through but keeps other things out
a trap in a drain
trap
2 of 2verb
trapped; trapping
1
: to catch or be caught in a trap
Hunters were trapping game.
The animal was trapped.
2
: to put or get in a place or position from which escape is not possible
Humidity trapped in the hills clung to the mountainside … Virginia Hamilton, M. C. Higgins the Great
Virginia Hamilton, M. C. Higgins the Greattrapped 1 of 2
adjective
as in ensnared
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- ensnared
- bound
- confined
- enslaved
- kidnapped
- imprisoned
- abducted
- captured
- captive
- caught
- incarcerated
- arrested
- kidnaped
- indentured
- occupied
- apprehended
- subjugated
- jailed
- interned
- subdued
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- free
- liberated
- freed
- released
- unrestrained
- unconfined
- delivered
- emancipated
- paroled
- enfranchised
trapped
2 of 2verb
1
as in tangled
to catch or hold as if in a net an ambitious young man who was now trapped in a series of shady business deals Synonyms & Similar Words
- tangled
- entrapped
- ensnared
- enmeshed
- entangled
- snared
- ensnarled
- captured
- meshed
- involved
- netted
- immeshed
- entoiled
- caught up
- implicated
- collared
- mired
- embroiled
- bagged
- birdlimed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- freed
- liberated
- detached
- disengaged
- extricated
- disentangled
- cleared
- untangled
2
as in caught
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly finally trapped the annoying fly in the palm of his hand Synonyms & Similar Words
- caught
- grabbed
- captured
- snatched
- seized
- landed
- got
- snared
- corralled
- hooked
- snagged
- grappled
- nabbed
- collared
- netted
- rapped
- nailed
- bagged
- copped
- arrested
- nobbled
- glommed
- entrapped
- cornered
- held
- clutched
- kidnapped
- grasped
- roped
- lassoed
- apprehended
- snapped (up)
- detained
- gripped
- ensnared
- took hold (of)
- secured
- abducted
- entangled
- enmeshed
- gloved
- haltered
- clasped
- fisted
- rent
- bayed
- meshed
- kidnaped
- wrested
- rended
- immeshed
- latched (on or onto)
- fastened (on)
- spirited (away or off)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- freed
- liberated
- missed
- released
- discharged
- dropped
- loosened
- unhanded