Definition of chain
1a : 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 insigniac (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
3a : a series of things linked, connected, or associated together a chain of events a mountain chainb : a group of enterprises or institutions of the same kind or function usually under a single ownership, management, or control fast-food chainsc : a number of atoms or chemical groups united like links in a chain
From the M-W Editors
Examples of chain in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples of chain from the Web
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At 73% suppression, there theoretically are enough breaks in the transmission chain to end epidemic spread.
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And a chain and a keep are nothing, compared to a woman's kiss For hands of gold are always cold, but a woman’s hands are warm . .
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And a chain and a keep are nothing, compared to a woman's kiss For hands of gold are always cold, but a woman’s hands are warm . .
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Other nursing home chains are experimenting with this model in Missouri, South Carolina, Virginia and elsewhere.
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The two families that joined forces to found Strack and Van Til supermarkets almost 60 years ago will take over ownership of the area's largest independent grocery chain once again.
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The demise of the mega-chain Corinthian Colleges, alone, led to more than 15,000 loan discharges, totaling $247 million.
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In West Louisville, independent restaurants come about one per neighborhood and even fast food chains that have locations in other parts of the city have not ventured by.
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Does it make sense to spend more for a Tiffany chain or find something comparable elsewhere?
These 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.
Origin and Etymology of chain
Middle English cheyne, from Anglo-French chaene, from Latin catena
chain
Definition of chain
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
She chained her bicycle to the post and went inside.
chaining up the dog in the backyard
Recent Examples of chain from the Web
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Think of it as a type of public ledger — when someone uses bitcoins to buy something, the blockchain records the transaction one after the other in blocks of code, each chained to the other.
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More witnesses came forward, and one of them told police that Tremba at one point had chained the stroller, which still held the baby, to a chain outside the saloon and went inside to buy a drink, leaving the infant unattended.
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Protesters tried to block the observance Saturday evening, with some chaining themselves together on a street, and were removed by police.
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Authorities say Kohlhepp was arrested in November after investigators checking on a cellphone ping in a missing couple case found a woman chained inside a shipping container on Kohlhepp’s property.
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But the 6-month-old black and white female pitbull was chained to a tree, and witnesses say that the dog never attacked Leverett and even tried to get away from him.
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A rottweiler was chained to a metal stake in the yard and three more pit bulls were running freely on the property, the report says.
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Chikaranomoto’s ambitions are bold, given that few Japanese chained restaurants beyond rice bowl operator Yoshinoya Holdings Co. have a following in the U.S.
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The ban on SHA-1 certificates introduced Tuesday in IE and Edge will only impact certificates that chain to a root certificate in the Microsoft Trusted Root Program, Microsoft said in a security advisory.
These 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.
First Known Use of chain
14th century
Chain
playDefinition of Chain
Sir Ernst Boris 1906–1979 British (German-born) biochemist
CHAIN Defined for English Language Learners
chain
playDefinition of chain for English Language Learners
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: 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.
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: a chain that is attached to the arms or legs of a prisoner
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: a series or group of things or people that are connected to each other in some way
chain
Definition of chain for English Language Learners
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: to fasten, hold, or connect (someone or something) with a chain
CHAIN Defined for Kids
Definition of chain for Students
1 : a series of connected links or rings usually of metal She wore a gold chain around her neck.
2 : a series of things joined together as if by links a chain of mountains a chain of events
3 : a group of businesses that have the same name and sell the same products or services a chain of grocery stores
Definition of chain for Students
chained
;chaining
: to fasten, bind, or connect with or as if with a chain I chained my bike to a tree.
Medical Dictionary
chain
playMedical Definition of chain
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
Learn More about chain
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See words that rhyme with chain Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for chain Spanish Central: Translation of chain Nglish: Translation of chain for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of chain for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chain
Seen and Heard
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