a series of objects connected one after the other, usually in the form of a series of metal rings passing through one another, used either for various purposes requiring a flexible tie with high tensile strength, as for hauling, supporting, or confining, or in various ornamental and decorative forms.
Often chains. something that binds or restrains; bond.
the chain of timidity; the chains of loyalty.
chains,
shackles or fetters.
to place a prisoner in chains.
bondage; servitude.
to live one's life in chains.
Nautical. (in a sailing vessel) the area outboard at the foot of the shrouds of a mast: the customary position of the leadsman in taking soundings.
a series of things connected or following in succession.
a chain of events.
a range of mountains.
a number of similar establishments, as banks, theaters, or hotels, under one ownership or management.
Chemistry. two or more atoms of the same element, usually carbon, attached as in a chain.
Surveying, Civil Engineering.
a distance-measuring device consisting of a chain of 100 links of equal length, having a total length either of 66 feet (20 meters) Gunter's chain, or surveyor's chain or of 100 feet (30 meters) engineer's chain.
a unit of length equal to either of these.
a graduated steel tape used for distance measurements. ch
Mathematics. totally ordered set.
Football. a chain 10 yards (9 meters) in length for determining whether a first down has been earned.
to fasten or secure with a chain.
to chain a dog to a post.
to confine or restrain.
His work chained him to his desk.
Surveying. to measure (a distance on the ground) with a chain or tape.
Computers. to link (related items, as records in a file or portions of a program) together, especially so that items can be run in sequence.
to make (a chain stitch or series of chain stitches), as in crocheting.
drag the chain, to lag behind or shirk one's fair share of work.
in the chains, standing outboard on the channels or in some similar place to heave the lead to take soundings.
a flexible length of metal links, used for confining, connecting, pulling, etc, or in jewellery
(usually plural) anything that confines, fetters, or restrains
the chains of poverty
Also called: snow chains. (usually plural) a set of metal links that fit over the tyre of a motor vehicle to increase traction and reduce skidding on an icy surface
a number of establishments such as hotels, shops, etc, having the same owner or management
( as modifier )
a chain store
a series of related or connected facts, events, etc
a series of deals in which each depends on a purchaser selling before being able to buy
(of reasoning) a sequence of arguments each of which takes the conclusion of the preceding as a premise See (as an example) sorites
Also called: Gunter's chain. a unit of length equal to 22 yards
Also called: engineer's chain. a unit of length equal to 100 feet
chem two or more atoms or groups bonded together so that the configuration of the resulting molecule, ion, or radical resembles a chain See also open chain ring 1
geography a series of natural features, esp approximately parallel mountain ranges
informal free from responsibility
informal to tease, mislead, or harass someone
surveying to measure with a chain or tape
to confine, tie, or make fast with or as if with a chain
to sew using chain stitch
A group of atoms, often of the same element, bound together in a line, branched line, or ring to form a molecule.
◆ In a straight chain, each of the constituent atoms is attached to other single atoms, not to groups of atoms.
◆ In a branched chain, side groups are attached to the chain.
◆ In a closed chain, the atoms are arranged in the shape of a ring.
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English chayne, from Old French chaeine, from Latin catēna “fetter”; see catena
A chain is a long series of connected metal links. Chains are strong and flexible, so they're useful for pulling a heavy load or securing a dangerous animal. The chain that anchors a ship to a dock or secures a warehouse door is just a larger version of the gold chain you wear around your neck — both are made of loops of metal. More figurative types of chains include things that hold you back, like the chains of your responsibility to your family, or connected occurrences — like a chain of events that leads to you meeting your best friend.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Benefits will be felt all over the country because our supply chain reaches all the way from the north all the way to the south of the UK," Woldbye said.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
In 2014, the chain ran a roughly 13-hour commercial on a local TV station about a brisket being smoked.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
Under the right conditions, those neutrons trigger further fission reactions, creating a sustained chain reaction.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
"The important thing for us is to recognise that Europe needs to build out the entire stack," he said, referring to the AI technology chain from data centres to chatbots and other apps.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
It was of a girl with both blond and blue hair, checking to make sure the boy next to her was asleep before standing up and removing a chain from around her neck.
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
Located at the end of Chain of Craters Road on the island of Hawaii, also called "the big island", the formation was a popular - and heavily photographed - tourist destination.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026
"I think spices are a really good thing to start getting your head around," she told the BBC World Service's The Food Chain podcast.
From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026
Gain insight on Novartis, Bangkok Chain Hospital and more in the latest Market Talks covering the health care sector.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026
The new hospital will act as a key link to Bangkok Chain Hospital’s network as it is located in strategically strong location, based on management’s update regarding the acquisition in analyst meeting.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026
And from the loud cries that were now coming from the Green, the children could guess that he meant the Grand Chain.
From "Mary Poppins" by P. L. Travers
"You need to diversify the type of value chains and crops that you are currently self-sufficient, and food security becomes now in many countries a matter of national security," he added.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
Its unusually exposed active site also provides space for the enzyme to interact with polymer chains.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
Fast-food chains have been battling for consumers and often resorting to discounts to do so.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
Defra says that an average of £2.3bn a year is being invested through its farming schemes in England and insists it is protecting farmers in trade deals and also making supply chains fairer.
From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026
As he got over his initial shock, he noticed other details: the frost spreading from the base of the Doors, the purplish glow in the air around them, and the chains that held them fast.
From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
It’s a gauntlet made thornier whenever Murashige, who believes in mercy over violence, engages with Kanbei, chained in a dungeon but with a dangerous mind nonetheless.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026
Nobody knows how, since the bell’s been chained up for such a long time that the metal links have rusted.
From Salon ● Jun. 18, 2026
"Every day we get reports of, horses, dogs, pigs, goats, everything. So many animals being either stranded, abandoned, locked up and chained," Kenny said.
From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2026
Outside the capital's national police facility known as Zone 7, family members had chained themselves to prison gates, while some had spent weeks sleeping in tents.
From Barron's ● Mar. 8, 2026
Here, too, battered trash cans were chained to a black lamppost, only these were filled with garbage, some of which had spilled out and lay scattered in puddles of pulpy hash.
From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago
In chaining many weaker chips together, it aims to mimic cutting-edge models.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026
Adding eight gigawatts of new demand to a 2.4 gigawatt system is like chaining an M1 Abrams tank to a Toyota Camry and expecting the two vehicles to drive calmly down the highway together.
From Barron's ● Feb. 25, 2026
You and your husband have gone from wanting to sell this house to actually chaining yourself to the house and the future occupants.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 21, 2026
He said chaining swings had become a trope used by people who don't understand island culture.
From BBC ● Nov. 16, 2024
I’m actually surprised Rufus is chaining his bike to a gate and following me into the hospital.
From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera
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