chain store

American  

noun

1. one of a group of retail stores under the same ownership and selling similar merchandise.

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chain store British  

noun

1. Also called: multiple store.  one of several retail enterprises under the same ownership and management

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chain store Cultural  

1. One of many retail stores owned by a single corporation and offering similar products. Examples include Sears and Safeway.

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Etymology

Origin of chain store

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

Products at the new store should be less—or at least no more expensive—than at the chain stores, city officials say.

From The Wall Street Journal

If you wanted to buy a book, it was easy to get to one of five huge national chain stores: B. Dalton, Barnes & Noble, Crown Books, Waldenbooks and Borders Books & Music.

From Los Angeles Times

Brown’s inspiration is not just from memories of his youth at the chain store, but contemporary efforts like Jack White’s Third Man Records.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, Peterson, now in his fifth decade of breeding pawpaws, doubts he'll see fresh fruits available in large chain stores in his lifetime.

From Salon

The city in August started requiring restaurants, convenience stores and bars to use a sturdy trash can with a secure lid and extended the requirement to chain stores the following month.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• boutique
• convenience store
• deli
• department store
• discount store
• drugstore
• emporium
• grocery store
• market
• outlet
• shop
• shopping center
• showroom
• supermarket