supply chain

[suh-plahy cheyn]

noun

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.

supply chain

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of supply chain¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

The rule, put out Thursday by China’s Commerce Ministry, is viewed as an escalation in the U.S.-China trade fight because it threatens the supply chain for semiconductors.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The semiconductor supply chain is vulnerable to actions like China’s because large chip plants require big capital investments from an ecosystem of companies providing specialized equipment, intricate technical processes and final packaging.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

China expanded export restrictions on its rare earth supply chain.

Read more on Barron's

Margin stacking is when profit markups from different parts of the supply chain add up, leading to a higher final price.

Read more on MarketWatch

Since the introduction of ChatGPT, the computing supply chain has faced manufacturing bottlenecks as it tries to meet surging global demand.

Read more on Wall Street Journal