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tripwire Meaning & Definition

Phonetic codes: T R IH1 P W AY0 R

What Does Tripwire Mean?

Tripwire is used as a noun meaning A cord or wire arranged so that when snagged or pulled by an intruder, it will trigger a detector or trap or a device, such as a land mine. It is also used to mean Any means of detecting intruders or attackers. As a verb, it means To set a tripwire mechanism in (a location).

Tripwire: Key Facts

Part of speechnoun, verb
Pluraltripwires
Verb formstripwires, tripwiring, tripwired

Tripwire Definition (Noun)

  1. A cord or wire arranged so that when snagged or pulled by an intruder, it will trigger a detector or trap or a device, such as a land mine.

    Seeing the tripwire of a nearby bouncing Betty gave us cold chills, and we moved all the more slowly through the woods.

  2. Any means of detecting intruders or attackers.

Tripwire as a Verb

  1. To set a tripwire mechanism in (a location).

Synonyms of Tripwire

The source does not list synonyms for this entry.

Tripwire synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Tripwire

No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.

Tripwire in a Sentence

Seeing the tripwire of a nearby bouncing Betty gave us cold chills, and we moved all the more slowly through the woods.

Word Forms & Grammar

tripwire (plural tripwires)

tripwire (third-person singular simple present tripwires, present participle tripwiring, simple past and past participle tripwired)

Words That Rhyme With Tripwire

Origin of Tripwire

From trip +‎ wire.

Tripwire: Your Questions Answered

Is tripwire a noun or a verb?

Tripwire is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.

What is the plural of tripwire?

The plural of tripwire is tripwires.

What is the past tense of tripwire?

The past tense of tripwire is tripwired. The present participle is tripwiring.

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