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.
"You have five separate forces operating on the ground without a proper unifying chain of command," said Diego Da Rin, a Crisis Group analyst.
From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2026
It was an era of climate change, supply chain collapse, earthquakes, famine, disease, migration, drought and armed incursions and invasions.
From Salon ● Oct. 30, 2026
Executives say the chain has also caught on with more Gen Z consumers.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026
The two met while working at the distribution center of a local grocery chain.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
I went outside, holding Black Star on his chain.
From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell
Before that, he led technology coverage at the monthly retail trade periodical Chain Store Age, where he was runner-up for a Jesse H. Neal Award.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026
Supported by Loewe, Daisy Chain Fields presents an exhibition celebrating the Riot Grrrl movement and punk feminism across the world.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
The Food Chain examines the business, science and cultural significance of food, and what it takes to put food on your plate.
From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026
Phil Pluck, chief executive of the Cold Chain Federation, the body which represents firms transporting temperature-controlled foods, said Britain was "pretty close to crisis".
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026
Hooke may actually have hoped to see the physical basis of memory, the ‘continued Chain of Ideas coyled in the Repository of the Brain’.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Many of the factors weighing on those supply chains also affect food, and in particular that other necessity of modern life: chocolate.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
Other High Street chains are adopting a more authentic approach, offering in-house repairs and workshops.
From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026
Apple Inc. is a good modern example of a U.S.-based company that relies heavily on overseas production and global supply chains.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
Chipotle’s stock is down 22.4% so far this year, as the chain tries to stand out among a sea of discounts and promos from sit-down restaurants and fast-food chains.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 28, 2026
Weapons glistened amid stacks of helmets; woven baskets held brooches, collar-pieces, and chains.
From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander
Another switch could be to a chained COLA, which is a more complicated way to calculate annual adjustments.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026
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
It is what’s known as a privilege escalation exploit, and if it were chained together with other attacks it could be used by a hacker to seize control of the computer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 14, 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
When Perseus arrived the maiden was on a rocky ledge by the sea, chained there to wait for the coming of the monster.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
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
“They were chaining the steps in behind us,” Seals said, “so we didn’t have a way out, really.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2024
Short of chaining him to his side, Luke had done everything he could to keep Toby from making the mistake he seemed intent on making.
From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss
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