mousetrap

1 of 2

noun

mouse·​trap ˈmau̇s-ˌtrap 

1

: a trap for mice

2

: a stratagem that lures one to defeat or destruction

3

: trap entry 1 sense 2b

mousetrap

2 of 2

verb

mousetrapped; mousetrapping; mousetraps

transitive verb

: to snare in or as if in a mousetrap

Examples of mousetrap in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Founded by a team of synch and licensing veterans with funding from a motley cast of investors, executives and entrepreneurs, the company is trying to build a better mousetrap that simplifies a time-consuming process and, possibly, reduces the threat from emerging technology. —Glenn Peoples, Billboard, 16 Apr. 2024

Every field of technical endeavor seeks to invent a better mousetrap, and Meze has attempted this with the Empyrean II by use of Rinaro’s patented Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver technology. —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024

Verb

All of that seems to have been forgotten, though, in the rush to better mousetrap the category with extreme levels of brightness, unconventional form factors, solar charging, and other needless complication. —Wes Siler, Outside Online, 9 Apr. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1864, in the meaning defined above