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

Example Sentences

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 31, 2026

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

Remote workers aren’t on a chain gang; they’ve just temporarily relocated their workspace.

From Slate • Mar. 17, 2020

We paraded around the room a couple of times in lockstep, like a chain gang, with Frank first, Ernestine next, and the children following by ages.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey