door chain

American  

noun

1. a short chain with a removable slide fitting that can be attached between the inside of a door and the doorjamb to prevent the door from being opened more than a few inches without the chain being removed.

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Etymology

Origin of door chain

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

When they had stayed at the hotel previously, in another room, the door did have a door chain.

From BBC

The inquest will look at how Theo was able to leave the hotel room unaccompanied, after his mother revealed there was no door chain, and whether there should have been more security at the pool.

From BBC

There are also two sliding tracks, which JerryRigEverything notes works almost like a door chain lock to keep everything in place when sliding the phone open and closed.

From The Verge

But when Gary, a little person, hurries to get out, he can’t reach the door chain and must ask Arthur for help.

From Los Angeles Times

But when I drove to his house, he had second thoughts and wouldn’t unlatch the door chain to let me in.

From Washington Post