trap

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A machine or other device designed to catch (and sometimes kill) animals, either by holding them in a container, or by catching hold of part of the body.

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

I put down some traps in my apartment to try and deal with the mouse problem.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A trick or arrangement designed to catch someone in a more general sense; a snare.

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

A trick or arrangement designed to catch someone in a more general sense; a snare. — A (usually fictional) location or feature originally added to a map to detect plagiarism and copyright violations by other map makers or map services.

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “trap” mean?

A machine or other device designed to catch (and sometimes kill) animals, either by holding them in a container, or by catching hold of part of the body.

Is “trap” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.