chain gang

American  

noun

1. a group of convicts chained together, especially when working outside.

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chain gang British  

noun

1. a group of convicted prisoners chained together, usually while doing hard labour

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Etymology

Origin of chain gang

First recorded in 1825–35

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

chain gang

King was arrested in Atlanta and sentenced to four months on a chain gang.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 31, 2026

The league likes the drama of a chain gang stretching to measure for that first down.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2023

The next year, he joined fellow organizers in protesting segregation in Rock Hill, S.C., where he was arrested and refused bail, serving 30 days of hard labor on a chain gang.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 13, 2022

When the chain gang went in to measure it, the ball was short of the first down.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 20, 2021

In March, too, when it was obvious that she was getting better, she learned that she and her brothers were to be sold South, part of the next chain gang.

From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry

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