1. large fishing nets that are dragged through water to catch fish
Usage: nautical
2. systematic searches or investigations designed to catch criminals or gather information
Usage: law enforcement

Examples

• The fishing boats deployed their dragnets at dawn.
• Commercial vessels use dragnets to harvest large quantities of fish.
• Police set up dragnets throughout the city to find the escaped convict.
• The FBI conducted dragnets in several neighborhoods during the investigation.
• Environmental groups oppose the use of dragnets because they harm marine ecosystems.
• The dragnets caught several suspects in the drug trafficking operation.