watch chain


noun
  1. a chain, frequently of gold or silver, attached to a pocket watch, serving as an ornament and, when passed through a buttonhole in the vest, as a guard against loss or theft of the watch.

Origin of watch chain

1
First recorded in 1730–40

Words Nearby watch chain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use watch chain in a sentence

  • I think he tried to be kind, an' he gin her a lil ivory book he had on his watch-chain, but you see he didn't feel it.

    The Cromptons | Mary J. Holmes
  • See him with his goold watch chain clankin' again th' pearl buttons iv his vest.

    Mr. Dooley Says | Finley Dunne
  • Then I assumed an air of frigid composure, and toyed with my watch-chain.

    My New Curate | P.A. Sheehan
  • "He must be a wealthy man," remarked the doctor, his eyes on the watch-chain and the good clothes.

    Motor Matt's Mystery | Stanley R. Matthews
  • The physician turned to Sidney, who played with his watch-chain, and smiled up in his face.

    Night and Morning, Complete | Edward Bulwer-Lytton

British Dictionary definitions for watch chain

watch chain

noun
  1. a chain used for fastening a pocket watch to the clothing: See also fob 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012