chain saw

¹

noun

1. a power saw, usually portable, having teeth set on an endless chain.

chain-saw

²

Or chain·saw

[cheyn-saw]

verb (used with object)

1. to cut or cut down (lumber, a tree, etc.) with a chain saw.

verb (used without object)

1. to use a chain saw.

chain saw

noun

1. a motor-driven saw, usually portable, in which the cutting teeth form links in a continuous chain

Word History and Origins

Origin of chain saw¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Origin of chain saw²

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Nail guns tat-tat-tat and chain saws screech on almost every block.

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Birdwell fired up her chain saw nearly every morning, she told me, aware that keeping the brush at bay was crucial for safety.

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“I saw a guy lose control of his chain saw and slash his chest,” Roach says, apparently not comparing that to the damage done by a shot to the chin from Mike Tyson.

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A suspect was arrested after surveillance video and community tips led police to a man they say used a chain saw to cut down at least 13 trees in and around downtown Los Angeles.

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Trees lining the main thoroughfare appeared to have been systematically cut down by Israelis with chain saws.

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