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

The company said on its earnings call that it has near-term constraints in its supply chain, leading to a weaker-than-expected outlook for revenue in the December quarter.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 22, 2026

“We have now set up a supply chain that can manufacture thousands a week of these systems.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

"Benefits will be felt all over the country because our supply chain reaches all the way from the north all the way to the south of the UK," Woldbye said.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026

Bolat warned the "Made in Europe" plan threatened to disrupt the 30-year customs union between the EU and Turkey, and the "very strong and close supply chain integration".

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

He’d invited his managers and their families over for a party this one time and my dad, being the supply chain guy, said we had to go.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx

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