Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

chaîné

noun
chaî·​né | \ shā-ˈnā How to pronounce chaîné (audio) \

Definition of chaîné

: a series of short usually fast turns by which a ballet dancer moves across the stage

First Known Use of chaîné

1897, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for chaîné

French, from past participle of chaîner to chain

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about chaîné

Statistics for chaîné

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for chaîné

The first known use of chaîné was in 1897

See more words from the same year

More from Merriam-Webster on chaîné

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with chaîné

Comments on chaîné

What made you want to look up chaîné? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

resurrection

Listen to the pronounciation of resurrection

an act or instance of returning to life

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Latin Quiz

  • roman forum
  • Which of the following months comes from a Latin word for “ten”?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games