chain saw

¹ American  

noun

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

---

chain-saw ² American  

[cheyn-saw] / ˈtʃeɪnˌsɔ /

Or chainsaw

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 British  

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of chain saw¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Origin of chain-saw²

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Even if the SEC does takes a chain saw to disclosures, the markets will survive.

From The Wall Street Journal

Officials asked the public’s help to identify the vandal, who was wearing all black and riding around on a bike with a backpack and a duffel bag, which they believed held a chain saw.

From Los Angeles Times

“Tomás thinks he’s found a way past the roadblock. Do either of you know how to use a chain saw?”

From Literature

Probably crews with chain saws would have to come and cut through fallen logs before Dad could drive the car back into camp.

From Literature

Only in the past couple of years, Sansom explained, did watchful staff members start swooping in to “borrow” Bamberger’s chain saw whenever they caught him tramping around the property with one.

From The Wall Street Journal