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
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)
trapped; trapping; traps
1
2
: to provide or set (a place) with traps
3
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
1
: to engage in trapping animals (as for furs)
2
: to make a defensive trap in basketball
trapper
noun
variants
or trap music
: rap music typically featuring heavy bass, synthesized drums, and triplet-based (see triplet sense 3) rhythms
Trap, an Atlanta-born rap subgenre, is characterized by sharp snares and booming bass, as well as … minor-key melodies.—Walter Thompson-Hernández
The start of the digital era saw the popularity of trap music taking over the underground rap scene …—Kyann-Sian Williams
Just think of how many hip-hop trends, from the street-hardened fatalism and stark beats of trap music to the punchy, triplet flow spawned by Migos' experimentalism, have bubbled up from the underground, and eventually even altered the feel of mainstream pop.—Jewly Hight
—often used before another nounMany trap artists utilize the triplet flow …—Jay Quan
The series follows young adults on the … rap and trap music scene …—Pablo Sandoval
With "Old Town Road," Lil Nas X twanged country tropes over a trap beat …—Chris Kelly
trapped; trapping; traps
: to adorn with or as if with trappings or decorations
The knightly housing's ample fold / Was velvet blue, and trapped with gold.—Walter Scott
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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