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
chained; chaining; chains
1
: to obstruct or protect by a chain
2
: to fasten, bind, or connect with or as if with a chain
also
: fetter
Synonyms
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
J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2024
Both the chain and pendants are crafted from hypoallergenic and nickel-free sterling silver that resists tarnishing and irritating your skin.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 2 May 2024
He’s also forged new partnerships, including one this week with Hyatt Hotels Corp. that will bring Peloton bikes to the hotel chain in an attempt to boost sales.
—Mark Gurman, Fortune, 2 May 2024
This restaurant chain with locations in Carlsbad and La Jolla has a deal for buy one Hennessey’s giant burgers and get one free all day on Tuesdays.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2024
French toast, pancakes and waffles are also staples at the chain restaurant.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2024
The retail chain, owned by Walmart, announced Wednesday that the feature has been integrated in more than 120 Sam's Clubs since unveiling the AI concept in January.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 1 May 2024
In an April hearing for a case involving customers who sued the hotel chain, Marriott acknowledged that its systems were not encrypted and instead used secure hash algorithm 1 (SHA-1), which doesn't qualify as encryption.
—Joe Hindy, PCMAG, 1 May 2024
Although the Kalahari and Great Wolf are chains with multiple locations across the country, Timber Ridge is local to Lake Geneva.
—Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 1 May 2024
J Wortham January Lavoy Krish Seenivasan David Mason, New York Times, 2 May 2024
Then, the Coalition for a Free South Africa basically chained the doors of Hamilton Hall… and just started camping out on the steps.
—Solcyré Burga, TIME, 2 May 2024
Another tactic Weiner said protestors used was chaining themselves together to block access to Hamilton Hall.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 1 May 2024
She's shown chained to a bed and being forced to take pills in the surreal video, which is shot like an old-timey silent film, title cards and all.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 20 Apr. 2024
On day two, the fit young Case had donned some of Haldane’s extra-large clothing and shoes and clambered into a water tub inside the chamber, with water that was 50 degrees Fahrenheit and large blocks of ice chained to the bottom.
—Rachel Lance, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
These five Wolverines are charged with keeping a woman chained to a pole in a basement for a month before killing her.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
The towering neo-Gothic building became the site of headline-grabbing protests in which activists chained themselves to the pews and lay down in the aisles.
—Liam Stack, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024
To the Rio waterfront, for one, where the pompous Nigel (Jemaine Clement) is quoting Shakespeare, decrying the carnival sideshow he’s chained to and deflecting the unwanted attention of his terribly annoying, terribly adoring fan, Gabi.
—Miami Staff, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
Noun
Tech’s concert outfits generally range from comfortable street wear to elaborate costumes of chains and spikes.
—J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2024
Both the chain and pendants are crafted from hypoallergenic and nickel-free sterling silver that resists tarnishing and irritating your skin.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 2 May 2024
He’s also forged new partnerships, including one this week with Hyatt Hotels Corp. that will bring Peloton bikes to the hotel chain in an attempt to boost sales.
—Mark Gurman, Fortune, 2 May 2024
This restaurant chain with locations in Carlsbad and La Jolla has a deal for buy one Hennessey’s giant burgers and get one free all day on Tuesdays.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2024
French toast, pancakes and waffles are also staples at the chain restaurant.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2024
The retail chain, owned by Walmart, announced Wednesday that the feature has been integrated in more than 120 Sam's Clubs since unveiling the AI concept in January.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 1 May 2024
In an April hearing for a case involving customers who sued the hotel chain, Marriott acknowledged that its systems were not encrypted and instead used secure hash algorithm 1 (SHA-1), which doesn't qualify as encryption.
—Joe Hindy, PCMAG, 1 May 2024
Although the Kalahari and Great Wolf are chains with multiple locations across the country, Timber Ridge is local to Lake Geneva.
—Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 1 May 2024
Verb
Once, at a court appearance, a guard locked her wrists together and then chained the lock to her own wrist.
—J Wortham January Lavoy Krish Seenivasan David Mason, New York Times, 2 May 2024
Then, the Coalition for a Free South Africa basically chained the doors of Hamilton Hall… and just started camping out on the steps.
—Solcyré Burga, TIME, 2 May 2024
Another tactic Weiner said protestors used was chaining themselves together to block access to Hamilton Hall.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 1 May 2024
She's shown chained to a bed and being forced to take pills in the surreal video, which is shot like an old-timey silent film, title cards and all.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 20 Apr. 2024
On day two, the fit young Case had donned some of Haldane’s extra-large clothing and shoes and clambered into a water tub inside the chamber, with water that was 50 degrees Fahrenheit and large blocks of ice chained to the bottom.
—Rachel Lance, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
These five Wolverines are charged with keeping a woman chained to a pole in a basement for a month before killing her.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
The towering neo-Gothic building became the site of headline-grabbing protests in which activists chained themselves to the pews and lay down in the aisles.
—Liam Stack, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024
To the Rio waterfront, for one, where the pompous Nigel (Jemaine Clement) is quoting Shakespeare, decrying the carnival sideshow he’s chained to and deflecting the unwanted attention of his terribly annoying, terribly adoring fan, Gabi.
—Miami Staff, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
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.
Dictionary Entries Near chain
Cite this Entry
“Chain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chain. Accessed 10 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chain
1 of 2 noun1
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
noun1
: 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
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