What does entrapment mean?
Entrapment is the act of catching or ensnaring someone in a trap, whether physical, emotional, or circumstantial, and the resulting state of being unable to escape. Its most prominent modern use is in law: entrapment describes the practice by which police officers or government agents induce a person to commit a crime they would not otherwise have committed, for example by persistent solicitation, deception, or manufactured temptation. A successful entrapment claim can lead to charges being dismissed, because courts recognise that the criminal intent originated with the authorities rather than with the defendant. Beyond the courtroom, the word appears in journalism and everyday writing to describe people caught in dangerous situations — miners trapped underground, hostages held in buildings — as well as more figurative predicaments such as debt or an unhappy marriage. Entrapment carries strongly negative connotations of coercion and unfairness, which is precisely why the legal concept exists: to protect individuals from being manufactured into criminals rather than merely apprehended as ones.
nounThe act or state of being trapped or caught in a situation from which escape is difficult. In law, it refers to a defence in which a defendant argues that they were induced by police or government agents to commit a crime they would not otherwise have committed.
- The act of trapping someone or something, or the state of being trapped.
- (Law) The inducement of a person by law-enforcement agents to commit a crime they were not predisposed to commit, usable as a legal defence.
"The defence argued that the entire operation amounted to entrapment."
"The hikers described their entrapment on the mountain during the sudden blizzard."
"The judge dismissed the charges after finding clear evidence of entrapment by undercover officers."
Rarely used in the plural, as the noun typically functions as an uncountable mass noun describing a general act or condition.
"The report documented multiple alleged entrapments across several investigations."
In court, entrapment can get a criminal charge thrown out entirely — if the police planted the idea, the crime may not legally count as yours.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of entrapment
Entrapment derives from the verb 'entrap', formed in the late 16th century from the prefix 'en-' (meaning 'to cause to be in') combined with 'trap', a noun of Germanic origin referring to a device for catching animals. The suffix '-ment' turns the verb into a noun denoting the action or result of entrapping. It shares its root with related words such as 'trap' and 'entrap'.
How entrapment is actually used
Most common in legal and journalistic contexts; outside law, it often carries a connotation of helplessness or being unfairly cornered.
Easily confused with entrapment
Entrapment means trapping or luring someone into a trap, while enchantment refers to magical delight or fascination.