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Definition of chain
(Entry 1 of 3)
chain
verbDefinition of chain (Entry 2 of 3)
Chain
biographical name
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Definition of Chain (Entry 3 of 3)
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Synonyms & Antonyms for chain
Synonyms: Noun
catena, catenation, concatenation, consecution, nexus, progression, sequence, string, train
Synonyms: Verb
bind, enchain, enfetter, fetter, gyve, handcuff, manacle, pinion, shackle, trammel
Antonyms: Verb
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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
As a result, the company has fared better than many bigger chains that have had to close hundreds of stores. — Suzanne Kapner, WSJ, "Blake Nordstrom, a Scion of Retail Dynasty, Has Died," 2 Jan. 2019 All of this growth happened as other supermarket chains shut down stores and let leases expire, which left plenty of retail spaces for Whole Foods and Amazon to snap up. — Shannon Liao, The Verge, "Amazon is reportedly bringing Whole Foods to US suburbs with Prime Now delivery," 30 Dec. 2018 This catalyst than combines the remaining hydrocarbon molecules to create chains large enough for jet fuel. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Virgin 747 Completes Transatlantic Flight With Fuel Made Partly From Industrial Waste," 5 Oct. 2018 The Canadian drug store chain Shoppers Drug Mart told CBC News that Hussain worked part time at one of their locations. — Samuel Chamberlain, Fox News, "Toronto mass shooting suspect was known to police due to mental health issues, report says," 2 Oct. 2018 Jennifer Bowers, General Merchandise Manager for A Pea in the Pod, the largest maternity chain in the U.S., says pants and jeans are top performers for the retailer, particularly in the designer category. — Leah Bourne, Glamour, "The Big Business of Maternity Denim," 24 Aug. 2018 Sparkling bathrooms are shower-only (sorry, hotel bath tub lovers), and breakfasts won't be the typical hot buffet found at other budget-friendly chains, but instead include items like Chobani yogurts and Kind granola bars. — Erin Florio, Condé Nast Traveler, "Avid, a New Value Hotel Brand from InterContinental, to Open Across the U.S.," 7 Aug. 2018 Robert Cresanti, the president and chief executive of the International Franchise Association, said in a letter to lawmakers last month that many chains have already abandoned no-poaching policies. — Washington Post, "7 fast-food chains agree to end ‘no-poaching’ policies," 12 July 2018 Classic, with 17 employees at four area locations, has raised opticians’ hourly pay from $13 to about $17 the past year, but the large chains are still paying a dollar or two more. — Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, "Flexible hours, $10,000 referral fee: Small businesses get creative to hire in tight labor market," 11 July 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
The release states that the woman told police that she had been handcuffed, shackled and chained to a bed in the house. — William Axford, Houston Chronicle, "Texas man and woman accused of chaining woman to a bed, forcing her to be their slave," 1 Feb. 2018 Her great-great-grandfather Charlie Lewis was the oldest of 110 slaves bought in West Africa, chained in the hull of the Clotilda and sailed across the Atlantic to the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta in Alabama in 1860. — Sandra E. Garcia And Matthew Haag, New York Times, "Descendants’ Stories of the Clotilda Slave Ship Drew Doubts. Now Some See Validation.," 25 Jan. 2018 Before they were discovered, the 13 siblings, ranging in age from 2 to 29, were found living in squalor and malnourished and were chained and padlocked to beds. — Matt Naham, ajc, "13 siblings rescued in California will live in separate homes," 24 Jan. 2018 No double-parked cars, no errant trash cans, no bikes chained to fences. — Alexandra Lange, Curbed, "Let’s organize the city outside our front door with as much care as we do our homes," 30 Aug. 2018 Immigration agents reportedly place handcuffs on the newly adult detainees, chain their handcuffs to their waists, shackle their legs together, and drive them to immigration jails. — Christianna Silva, Teen Vogue, "ICE Is Detaining Teens on Their 18th Birthdays," 24 Aug. 2018 The child had been chained before, and was even forced to sleep in a dog crate at night, officials said. — Katherine Lam, Fox News, "Boy, 13, found naked, chained in Alabama home was forced to sleep in dog crate, officials say," 25 Sep. 2018 One of the first partners that Sonos will have on board is IFTTT, the popular service that can chain together actions from hundreds of different apps and devices. — Chris Welch, The Verge, "Audio notifications are coming to Sonos speakers," 29 Aug. 2018 Three of the siblings had been chained to their beds for weeks, deputies said. — Paloma Esquivel, latimes.com, "Judge hears teen's 911 call in alleged abuse of siblings: 'My two little sisters right now are chained up'," 21 June 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chain.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for chain
chain
noun
English Language Learners Definition of chain
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a series of usually metal links or rings that are connected to each other in a line and used for supporting heavy things, for holding things together, for decoration, etc.
: a chain that is attached to the arms or legs of a prisoner
: a series or group of things or people that are connected to each other in some way
chain
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of chain (Entry 2 of 2)
: to fasten, hold, or connect (someone or something) with a chain
See the full definition for chain in the English Language Learners Dictionary
chain
noun
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Kids Definition of chain
(Entry 1 of 2)
chain
verbKids Definition of chain (Entry 2 of 2)
chain
noun
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Medical Definition of chain
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