supply chain

American  

[suh-plahy cheyn] / 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

Etymology

Origin of supply chain

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

supply chain

“It is highly unusual that an end-product threatens the economic foundations of its essential suppliers, but that is the situation we have created for our LLM business with respect to its ‘content supply chain.’

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

Stephen Rowlands, the company's head of construction and supply chain said there was "a real opportunity for Welsh industry to play a leading role" in developing and delivering the new pylons.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

“Traders are tying themselves to parts of the supply chain where demand is tangible, and they’re favoring areas where spending is committed,” said Jake Behan, head of capital markets at Direxion.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 16, 2026

"We are focusing our efforts on strengthening supply chain management, improving manufacturing readiness and expanding production capacity in ways that serve the United States and its allies well."

From Barron's

With the news now made public, most of the town, including Kalbro’s supply chain manager, was trembling with the bad vibes.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx