chain

¹ American  

[cheyn] / tʃeɪn /

noun

1. 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.

2. Often chains. something that binds or restrains; bond.

   the chain of timidity; the chains of loyalty.

3. chains,

   1. shackles or fetters.

      to place a prisoner in chains.

   2. bondage; servitude.

      to live one's life in chains.

   3. 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.

   4. tire chain.

4. a series of things connected or following in succession.

   a chain of events.

   Synonyms:

   set, train, succession, sequence

5. a range of mountains.

6. a number of similar establishments, as banks, theaters, or hotels, under one ownership or management.

7. Chemistry. two or more atoms of the same element, usually carbon, attached as in a chain.

8. Surveying, Civil Engineering.

   1. 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.

   2. a unit of length equal to either of these.

   3. a graduated steel tape used for distance measurements. ch

9. Mathematics. totally ordered set.

10. Football. a chain 10 yards (9 meters) in length for determining whether a first down has been earned.

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verb (used with object)

1. to fasten or secure with a chain.

   to chain a dog to a post.

2. to confine or restrain.

   His work chained him to his desk.

3. Surveying. to measure (a distance on the ground) with a chain or tape.

4. 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.

5. to make (a chain stitch or series of chain stitches), as in crocheting.

verb (used without object)

1. to form or make a chain.

idioms

1. drag the chain, to lag behind or shirk one's fair share of work.

2. in the chains, standing outboard on the channels or in some similar place to heave the lead to take soundings.

Chain ² American  

[cheyn] / tʃeɪn /

noun

1. Sir Ernst Boris 1906–79, English biochemist, born in Germany: Nobel Prize in Medicine 1945.

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chain ¹ British  

/ tʃeɪn /

noun

1. a flexible length of metal links, used for confining, connecting, pulling, etc, or in jewellery

2. (usually plural) anything that confines, fetters, or restrains

   the chains of poverty

3. 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

4. 1. a number of establishments such as hotels, shops, etc, having the same owner or management

   2. ( as modifier )

      a chain store

5. a series of related or connected facts, events, etc

6. a series of deals in which each depends on a purchaser selling before being able to buy

7. (of reasoning) a sequence of arguments each of which takes the conclusion of the preceding as a premise See (as an example) sorites

8. Also called: Gunter's chain.  a unit of length equal to 22 yards

9. Also called: engineer's chain.  a unit of length equal to 100 feet

10. 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

11. geography a series of natural features, esp approximately parallel mountain ranges

12. informal free from responsibility

13. informal to tease, mislead, or harass someone

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verb

1. surveying to measure with a chain or tape

2. to confine, tie, or make fast with or as if with a chain

3. to sew using chain stitch

Chain ² British  

/ tʃeɪn /

noun

1. Sir Ernst Boris. 1906–79, British biochemist, born in Germany: purified and adapted penicillin for clinical use; with Fleming and Florey shared the Nobel prize for physiology or medicine 1945

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chain ¹ Scientific  

/ chān /

1. A group of atoms, often of the same element, bound together in a line, branched line, or ring to form a molecule.

2. ◆ In a straight chain, each of the constituent atoms is attached to other single atoms, not to groups of atoms.

3. ◆ In a branched chain, side groups are attached to the chain.

4. ◆ In a closed chain, the atoms are arranged in the shape of a ring.

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Chain ² Scientific  

1. German-born British bacteriologist who, with Howard Florey, developed and purified penicillin in 1939. For this work, they shared a 1945 Nobel Prize with Alexander Fleming, who first discovered the antibiotic in 1928.

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chain More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing chain

• ball and chain
• pull someone's chain

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Other Word Forms

• chainless adjective
• chainlike adjective
• interchain verb (used with object)
• unchained adjective

Etymology

Origin of chain

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English chayne, from Old French chaeine, from Latin catēna “fetter”; catena

Explanation

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.

Example Sentences

The recent plan to acquire a 45% stake in Zhongheng Electric will likely further deepen vertical integration across the energy-storage value chain, they add.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

“If agentic AI and the importance of the semiconductor domestic supply chain are just in the early innings, the stock will grow in and grow into and surpass its valuation,” says Reitzes.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

In other words, the answer to the Colorado River's missing water mystery is not a single cause, but a chain reaction driven by a changing climate.

From Science Daily • Apr. 14, 2026

Albertsons shares were knocked lower Tuesday after the grocery-store chain forecast weaker-than-expected sales trends for this year and said surging gas prices were starting to squeeze some consumers.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

Beside the row of outdoor toilets was a basin with a tin cup on a chain.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Related Words

• attach
• confine
• enslave
• handcuff
• shackle
• tether
• tie up