chain

1 of 2

noun

often attributive
1
a
: a series of usually metal links or rings connected to or fitted into one another and used for various purposes (such as support, restraint, transmission of mechanical power, or measurement)
b
: a series of links used or worn as an ornament or insignia
c(1)
: a measuring instrument of 100 links used in surveying
(2)
: a unit of length equal to 66 feet (about 20 meters)
2
: something that confines, restrains, or secures
3
a
: a series of things linked, connected, or associated together
a chain of events
a mountain chain
b
: a group of enterprises or institutions of the same kind or function usually under a single ownership, management, or control
fast-food chains
c
: a number of atoms or chemical groups united like links in a chain

chain

2 of 2

verb

chained; chaining; chains

transitive verb

1
: to obstruct or protect by a chain
2
: to fasten, bind, or connect with or as if with a chain
also : fetter

Examples of chain in a Sentence

Noun We'll need 25 feet of chain for the pulley. The new book chronicles the chain of events leading up to the crime. They own a chain of organic grocery stores. The hotel chain recently opened a new hotel in Hong Kong. Verb She chained her bicycle to the post and went inside. chaining up the dog in the backyard
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Completing her ensemble were platform loafers adorned with chain details and paired with white socks that added a subtle contrast. Alex Kessler, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2024 When Graham agreed to hear them out, the two fourth-years told him their big idea: a mobile platform that would allow customers of places like Sheetz, the mid-Atlantic convenience store chain, to order sub sandwiches from their phones while, say, pumping gas. Paresh Dave, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024 Development:Buc-ee's approval puts Goodyear 'on the map,' as Texas chain opens first Arizona store The new location will be located at the southeast corner of Bullard Avenue and Interstate 10. Alexandra Hardle, The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2024 Oysters from France, brought in by plane with a detour in some third location, are available at one Moscow restaurant, and Italian truffles and French champagne, whose export was banned by the European Union, can be found at an upscale grocery store chain. Ivan Nechepurenko Sergey Ponomarev, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 The discount store chain lost $1.7 billion in the fourth quarter, down sharply from earnings of $452.2 million a year ago. Anne Marie Lee, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2024 Three Starbucks customers have filed a lawsuit against the coffee chain giant, alleging that its extra charges for non-dairy alternatives are discriminating against people with lactose intolerance. William Gavin, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 One notable large retail chain, Target, saw the average size of its new leases from 2021 through 2023 shrink 35 percent, Svec said. Jaclyn Peiser, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2024 Her salon chain Pressed Roots started with popups in 2018 and now has two locations in Dallas with three more locations outside the city on the way. Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2024
Verb
Punished for trying to escape during the journey, she was chained at the ankle and thrown onto a pile of charcoal. Adam Nossiter, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 It had been dumped, left chained to a post in the center of a nearby town. Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2024 Ideal for students or anyone who loves lounging in bed with everything within reach. Find it on Amazon Turn Their Floor Into a Spa: This Acupressure Set Is Their New Relaxation Haven Know someone who’s always on their feet or chained to a desk? Cristian Esteban, Rolling Stone, 8 Dec. 2023 Jamal further asks how thousands of Africans could have been captured in the slave trade, chained and put onto ships by a small number of white men with only a few rifles and whips. USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2024 After her wealthy father's death, Manhattan DA Lauren Monroe (Lily Collins) inherits a secret that her dad never told anyone: There’s a prisoner (Simon Pegg) who he’s kept chained underground for 30 years. Danny Horn, EW.com, 4 Jan. 2024 In 1989, more than 4,000 people protested outside St. Patrick’s, and protesters chanted and chained themselves to the pews inside. Liam Stack, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024 Those in possession of exotic animals often attempt to change the animal, using tactics such as confining them to a small space, chaining them up, declawing and removing teeth, according to Born Free USA. Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2024 Fortunato's punishment is being chained to a wall in the catacombs and sealed away behind a wall of bricks, which happens to be the fate imposed on Rufus Griswold (Michael Trucco) by young Roderick (Zach Gilford) and Madeline (Willa Fitzgerald). Nick Romano, EW.com, 12 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English cheyne, from Anglo-French chaene, from Latin catena

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of chain was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near chain

Cite this Entry

“Chain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chain. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

chain

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a series of connected links or rings
b
: a measuring instrument of 100 links used in surveying
c
: a unit of length equal to 66 feet (about 20 meters)
2
: something that restricts or binds : bond
3
a
: a series of things joined together as if by links
a chain of mountains
a chain of events
b
: a number of atoms united like links in a chain

chain

2 of 2 verb
: to fasten, bind, or connect with or as if with a chain

Medical Definition

chain

noun
1
: a series of things (as bacteria) linked, connected, or associated together
2
: a number of atoms or chemical groups united like links in a chain

Biographical Definition

Chain

biographical name

Sir Ernst Boris 1906–1979 British (German-born) biochemist

More from Merriam-Webster on chain

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