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• chain saw
  chain saw

  noun

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

  verb (used with object)

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

chain saw

¹ American  

noun

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

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chain-saw ² American  

[chayn-saw] / ˈtʃeɪnˌsɔ /

Or chainsaw

verb (used with object)

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

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verb (used without object)

1. to use a chain saw.

chain saw British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of chain saw¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Origin of chain-saw²

First recorded in 1955–60

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

chain saw chain-saw

And the bromance was short lived as Musk’s antics in Washington, D.C., including waving a chain saw around at an event, became a distraction and the perception of his actual political influence began to fade.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026

When A.I. took my job, I bought a chain saw.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 31, 2025

Milei’s post-midterms victory speech kindled hope for less chain saw and more coalition building over the next two years, Stock says.

From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2025

Outside, he posed for selfies and held a 6-foot-long spurtle carved with a chain saw by local artist Alice Buttress and painted gold.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2025

Is there a chain saw of the soul, an ax I can take to my memories or fears?

From "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson

In the chain-saw paradigm, the scariest monster is the one born in your own backyard.

From Slate ● Oct. 29, 2024

He learned that chain-saw topping was the best way to have a rotting, standing dead tree after a couple of decades, especially if the topped tree had minimal live branches left in in place.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 23, 2024

If you heard the sound of a chain-saw echoing through the air near Husky Stadium this past Tuesday, there was no reason to be alarmed.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 17, 2023

Remember, we’re talking about an area where a chain-saw manufacturer bought the London Bridge and had it shipped over to provide a crossing over desert sand.

From Golf Digest ● Mar. 30, 2020

Staring at that figure I painted, I realize there is something sad about the chain-saw artistry of Buddy Gui.

From "Landscape with Invisible Hand" by M.T. Anderson

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