a human chain
noun
: a line of people standing next to each other with their arms linked
Protesters formed a human chain around the ancient tree to prevent it from being cut down.
Examples of a human chain in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Groups of demonstrators, many wearing gas masks and other face coverings, linked arms in a human chain in front of Delaney Hall in Newark on Wednesday night, videos and photos posted on social media show.
—
ABC News, 28 May 2026
Protesters attempted to form a human chain outside the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026
Video shows people forming a human chain in the water earlier Tuesday evening, trying to safely help in the search.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 20 May 2026
The following Sunday about 70 formed a human chain around the building.
—Michael Cuglietta, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2026
The demonstrators will be at the Gaylord Resort and Convention Center entrance all day and plan to form a human chain from 5 to 7 p.m., according to a flyer distributed by IranzVoiceDFW.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
Several good Samaritans quickly joined him, forming a human chain to stabilize the vehicle, which was wedged against a fallen tree — the only thing preventing it from plummeting down the mountainside.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
On May 25, 1986, people joined hands – literally – to try and form a human chain along a route across the country.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 17 Oct. 2025
On Wednesday, members of the Chattogram Port Berth and Terminal Operators Merchant Workers Unity Council formed a human chain in front of the port in protest of the manner the port’s operator handles wages and benefits.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 11 Sep. 2025
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ABC News, 28 May 2026
Protesters attempted to form a human chain outside the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026
Video shows people forming a human chain in the water earlier Tuesday evening, trying to safely help in the search.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 20 May 2026
The following Sunday about 70 formed a human chain around the building.
—Michael Cuglietta, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2026
The demonstrators will be at the Gaylord Resort and Convention Center entrance all day and plan to form a human chain from 5 to 7 p.m., according to a flyer distributed by IranzVoiceDFW.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
Several good Samaritans quickly joined him, forming a human chain to stabilize the vehicle, which was wedged against a fallen tree — the only thing preventing it from plummeting down the mountainside.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
On May 25, 1986, people joined hands – literally – to try and form a human chain along a route across the country.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 17 Oct. 2025
On Wednesday, members of the Chattogram Port Berth and Terminal Operators Merchant Workers Unity Council formed a human chain in front of the port in protest of the manner the port’s operator handles wages and benefits.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“A human chain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20human%20chain. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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