entanglement

American  

[en-tang-guhl-muhnt] / ɛnˈtæŋ gəl mənt /

noun

1. the act of entangling.

2. the state of being entangled.

3. something that entangles; snare; involvement; complication.

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entanglement British  

/ ɪnˈtæŋɡəlmənt /

noun

1. something that entangles or is itself entangled

2. a sexual relationship regarded as unfortunate, damaging, or compromising

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Other Word Forms

• interentanglement noun

Etymology

Origin of entanglement

First recorded in 1630–40; entangle + -ment

Example Sentences

Although giant atoms have improved understanding of quantum behavior, they have had limitations when it comes to entanglement.

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

They face threats from vessel strikes to entanglement in fishing gear on their long migration routes.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

This process naturally creates entanglement in the spatial properties of light.

From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2026

The legal entanglement, now the talk of Hollywood executive circles, comes at an awkward time for Paramount, which needs regulatory approval for a hard-fought $81 billion deal to acquire rival Warner Bros.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Now, on the rebound from my calamitous entanglement with the nordwand, I was prepared to lower my sights.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

Related Words

• imbroglio
• liaison