entanglement

[ en-tang-guhl-muhnt ]

noun

1. the act of entangling.
2. the state of being entangled.
3. something that entangles; snare; involvement; complication.

Other Words From

• inter·en·tangle·ment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of entanglement¹

First recorded in 1630–40; entangle + -ment

Example Sentences

Instead of the well-ordered characteristics of ferromagnets, these materials are disordered and the electrons within them connect magnetically via a process called quantum entanglement.

From Science Daily

There are already a small number of US forces in the country - but this new deployment of about 100 troops is significant as it signals further US entanglement in the expanding regional war.

From BBC

The movie accurately captures the messy, overlapping romantic entanglements during the show‘s early years, along with the unconventional nature of Shuster and Michaels’ marriage.

From Los Angeles Times

The most bitter entanglement started in 1982 when Israel invaded southern Lebanon and its troops marched all the way to Beirut.

From Los Angeles Times

A perimeter defense on the western side of the Atlantic, he argued, would be surer and less likely to produce permanent American entanglement in European affairs.

From Salon

Related Words

• imbroglio
• liaison