trapdoor

noun

trap·​door ˈtrap-ˈdȯr How to pronounce trapdoor (audio)
: a lifting or sliding door covering an opening (as in a roof, ceiling, or floor)

Examples of trapdoor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But the contract had been drawn with a trapdoor at Article 20, a clause that transported you across the world. Jesse Barron, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2024 Also known as trapdoor functions, these problems are easy to compute in one direction and substantially harder to compute in reverse. Jeanne Timmons, Ars Technica, 20 Sep. 2023 Ultimately though, Henning decided to take the plunge and walk down into the trapdoor. Ashley Paige, Peoplemag, 21 June 2023 Little trapdoors open up to show a shadowy Karl, or an ominous phone, or a radio set in who knows where. Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 4 Dec. 2023 Investigators have found more fentanyl hidden under a trapdoor at the New York City day care where a 1-year-old boy fell ill and later died and three other children got sick from apparent opioid exposure last week, police said. Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 22 Sep. 2023 This species of trapdoor spider constructs a trapdoor to its burrow out of silk (and sometimes soil and nearby vegetation), popping out its head to snatch passing prey. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 31 Oct. 2023 Detectives discovered the trapdoor in the play area of the day care center while carrying out a search warrant Wednesday, the New York City Police Department said in an update Thursday. Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 22 Sep. 2023 Images shared by the police showed transparent bags with white and brown powdered substances, beneath a wooden trapdoor. Anumita Kaur, Washington Post, 22 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trapdoor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trapdoor was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near trapdoor

Cite this Entry

“Trapdoor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trapdoor. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

trapdoor

noun
trap·​door ˈtrap-ˈdō(ə)r How to pronounce trapdoor (audio)
-ˈdȯ(ə)r
: a lifting or sliding door covering or hiding an opening in a roof, ceiling, or floor

More from Merriam-Webster on trapdoor

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