Catch-22: Meaning and Definition of

Catch-22

Pronunciation: (kach'twen"tē-t'), [key]
— pl. Catch-22's, Catch-22s.
  1. a frustrating situation in which one is trapped by contradictory regulations or conditions.
  2. any illogical or paradoxical problem or situation; dilemma.
  3. a condition, regulation, etc., preventing the resolution of a problem or situation; catch.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.