chain reaction
noun
1
a
: a series of events so related to each other that each one initiates the next
b
: a number of events triggered by the same initial event
2
: a self-sustaining chemical or nuclear reaction yielding energy or products that cause further reactions of the same kind
Examples of chain reaction in a Sentence
Increased oil prices could trigger a chain reaction in the economy.
Recent Examples on the Web
In the cold and austere German winter (a far cry from Dakar’s physical and cultural warmth), an anxious Nourou acts up outside a hotel and is accosted by a Polish security guard, setting off a minor chain reaction in which Maja intervenes on his behalf, much to his chagrin.
—
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025
Rewriting plasma physics For the first time, the results demonstrated that a microscopic event could trigger a chain reaction leading to large-scale structural changes in plasma.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2025
This one was by chain reaction.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2025
The second was in January of 2025, but barely involved the empty Waymo, which was simply stopped at light when a speeding car crashed into the Waymo and 6 other vehicles in a chain reaction, killing one person and a dog, and injuring several others.
—Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chain reaction
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Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025
Rewriting plasma physics For the first time, the results demonstrated that a microscopic event could trigger a chain reaction leading to large-scale structural changes in plasma.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2025
This one was by chain reaction.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2025
The second was in January of 2025, but barely involved the empty Waymo, which was simply stopped at light when a speeding car crashed into the Waymo and 6 other vehicles in a chain reaction, killing one person and a dog, and injuring several others.
—Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chain reaction
Cite this Entry
“Chain reaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chain%20reaction. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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