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

chain-react

ˈchān-rē-ˈakt 

intransitive verb

Examples of chain reaction in a Sentence

Increased oil prices could trigger a chain reaction in the economy.

Recent Examples on the Web

As a result of the aging infrastructure and rising power consumption, the Grid is now more vulnerable to cascading failures, in which the failure of one component triggers a chain reaction of failures. —Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025

This could trigger a chain reaction: job losses or fears of layoffs would curb consumer spending, forcing businesses to cut costs, leading to more layoffs and further spending cuts. —Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025

The crash led to a chain reaction involving four other vehicles. —Frank Fernandez, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025

Ice-rich soil warmed, thawed and collapsed, setting off a chain reaction still unfolding today. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for chain reaction

• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction
• detraction
• diffraction
• distraction
• exaction
• extraction
• impaction
• inaction
• infraction

Kids Definition

chain reaction

noun

1

: a series of events so related to each other that each one sets the next one going

2

: a chemical or nuclear reaction producing energy or products that cause further reactions of the same kind

Medical Definition

chain reaction

noun

: a self-sustaining chemical or nuclear reaction yielding energy or products that cause further reactions of the same kind