dragnet \ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\noun 1. a.: a net that is specially designed to be drawn along the bottom of a body of water : trawl b.: a similar net used on the ground (as to capture small game) 2. a.: a device for gathering objects usually of a certain kind in the mass < do not send out wholesale dragnets to collect opinions and data — A.T.Weaver > b.: a network of measures for apprehension (as of criminals) < suspects caught in the police dragnet >