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

Scientists can now investigate phenomena linked to high-energy physics and astrophysics, including black-hole thermodynamics and entanglement entropy scaling, within a laboratory setting.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

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

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

Critics call Cliffwater a “turducken” of problems due to its entanglement in other funds, with 30% of its money in other funds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Wall Street skeptics who long questioned Cliffwater’s growth are now calling it a “canary in the coal mine” and a “turducken” of problems, given its entanglement in other funds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 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