supply chain

American  

[suh-plahy chayn] / səˈplaɪ ˌtʃeɪn /

noun

• supply chains
  plural

1. the series of growers, manufacturers, distributors, shippers, etc., involved in producing goods of a particular kind and bringing them to market.

   A typical supply chain from fiber to garment has up to seven players spread across the globe—more, if processes like dyeing or printing are subcontracted.

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supply chain British  

noun

1. marketing a channel of distribution beginning with the supplier of materials or components, extending through a manufacturing process to the distributor and retailer, and ultimately to the consumer

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• supply chains
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of supply chain

First recorded in 1900–05

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

supply chain

While weakness is spreading across the AI supply chain, underlying demand for advanced chips remains strong, she notes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026

A spate of cyber-attacks that hit supermarket chains across at least 10 European countries on Monday has prompted European Union officials to warn of a deliberate attempt to disrupt the food supply chain.

From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026

"They are a deliberate attempt to disrupt our food supply chain and undermine consumers' confidence in it -- a warning that we must take seriously," Hansen said.

From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026

There are also constraints throughout its supply chain, the company noted, including for chip wafers and packaging substrates — an essential component for its advanced chip-packaging technology that is gaining appeal with customers.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 30, 2026

With all the forces that have been mobilized to bring relief, it will be a while until the supply chain can meet the demand—and the ÁguaViva will get us through that time.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

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