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
That could help reduce the likelihood of landlords facing late rent and the chain reaction that can cause, like late mortgage payments and associated fees.
—
Ryan Barone, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
These population shifts can cause what’s known as a trophic cascade, an ecological process in which a change in the population of a top predator affects other species lower in the food chain, triggering a chain reaction.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 29 Aug. 2025
According to Dallas police, Rice was driving a Lamborghini Urus SUV at more than 119 mph before losing control and hitting the center median wall, triggering a chain reaction collision involving six other vehicles.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
But composability also means the failure of one key protocol can rapidly cascade through many others, creating a chain reaction of liquidity crunches or asset collapses.
—Mark R. Weaver, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chain reaction
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Ryan Barone, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
These population shifts can cause what’s known as a trophic cascade, an ecological process in which a change in the population of a top predator affects other species lower in the food chain, triggering a chain reaction.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 29 Aug. 2025
According to Dallas police, Rice was driving a Lamborghini Urus SUV at more than 119 mph before losing control and hitting the center median wall, triggering a chain reaction collision involving six other vehicles.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
But composability also means the failure of one key protocol can rapidly cascade through many others, creating a chain reaction of liquidity crunches or asset collapses.
—Mark R. Weaver, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 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 10 Sep. 2025.
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