deadfall
noun
dead·fall
| \ ˈded-ˌfȯl
\
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Definition of deadfall
1
: a trap so constructed that a weight (such as a heavy log) falls on an animal and kills or disables it
2
: a tangled mass of fallen trees and branches
Examples of deadfall in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Elena can spot a deer at 100 yards or a soaring redtail heading for a distant deadfall. — Jim Gronaw, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Jim Gronaw: When kids go fishing, it sure is fun," 24 Aug. 2019 Because there are no trails, researchers often have to bushwhack for miles in search of nests, wading up knee-deep streams or descending knife-edge slopes spongy with deadfall and slippery with mud. — Jennifer Kahn, New York Times, "Should Some Species Be Allowed to Die Out?," 13 Mar. 2018 Because there are no trails, researchers often have to bushwhack for miles in search of nests, wading up knee-deep streams or descending knife-edge slopes spongy with deadfall and slippery with mud. — Jennifer Kahn, New York Times, "Should Some Species Be Allowed to Die Out?," 13 Mar. 2018 Keep in mind, the terrain moose are normally taken in is muskeg, a soggy surface that can make walking as if through deep mud. Rarely is the terrain level and without deadfalls and brush to negotiate. — Steve Meyer, Alaska Dispatch News, "You’ve shot your moose. Are you strong enough to pack it out?," 23 Aug. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deadfall.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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