Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

tripwire

noun

/ˈtrɪpˌwaɪər/

Definition

A tripwire is a wire or cord that is stretched low to the ground, used to trigger an alarm or a trap when someone or something passes over it.

Examples

He set up a tripwire around the perimeter of his property to alert him of any intruders.
In the software world, a tripwire might refer to a specific trigger that’s monitored for unusual activities.
During the military operation, soldiers used tripwires to secure their location from an unexpected attack.

Meaning

In a broader sense, a tripwire can also refer to a precaution or a signal that indicates a significant or unexpected event when a certain trigger is activated.