tripwire

[ trip-wahyuh r ]

/ ˈtrɪpˌwaɪər /

noun

a wire used to set off concealed explosives, as one stretched across a footpath to be struck and activated by the foot of an enemy soldier.

a wire that activates a trap, camera, or other device when stepped on, tripped on, or otherwise disturbed.

Nearby words

tripterous, triptolemus, triptych, triptyque, tripura, tripwire, triquetra, triquetric, triquetrous, triradiate, triradius

Origin of tripwire

trip¹ + wire

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for tripwire

The tripwire for an unfolding plot to take control of the flight would be the transponder, operated by a switch beside the pilots.
Who Gagged the Search for MH370?|Clive Irving|June 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The transponder is really the tripwire for whatever began to unfold on that jet.
The Tripwire on Flight 370|Clive Irving|March 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The emotions of Democrats are on a tripwire, ready to react at the slightest provocation.
Is Hillary Ditching Senate Dems?|Eleanor Clift|February 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for tripwire

tripwire

/ (ˈtrɪpˌwaɪə) /

noun

a wire that activates a trap, mine, etc, when tripped over

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012