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
Both vehicles were allegedly speeding on North Central Expressway near University Boulevard when Rice’s car hit the center median wall, leading to a chain reaction involving four other vehicles.
—
Melissa Noel, Essence, 12 Apr. 2024
That now-infamous beatdown sparked a chain reaction that would lead to Shakur's death, prosecutors allege.
—Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2024
This chain reaction went from invasive ants to native ants to elephants to lions to zebra to buffalo.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2024
This could start a chain reaction that speeds up your journey to your goals, asking you to follow your heart with the same energy without becoming complacent after specific milestones.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2024
Midsize banks underwrite a huge volume of loans for commercial real estate, so if developers and property owners have a hard time paying them off, that could set off a chain reaction in the financial sector, too.
—Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024
Sepsis, where infection triggers a chain reaction in the body that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death, develops in about 1.7 million Americans each year and is linked to 350,000 deaths annually.
—Carolyn Barber, Fortune, 27 Mar. 2024
But in a chain reaction, nine states, all led by Republican secretaries of state, dropped out of the program.
—Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2024
The most likely cause in a chain reaction was a filter blockage where liquid oxygen is supplied to the engines.
—Aashna Shah, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2024
Melissa Noel, Essence, 12 Apr. 2024
That now-infamous beatdown sparked a chain reaction that would lead to Shakur's death, prosecutors allege.
—Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2024
This chain reaction went from invasive ants to native ants to elephants to lions to zebra to buffalo.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2024
This could start a chain reaction that speeds up your journey to your goals, asking you to follow your heart with the same energy without becoming complacent after specific milestones.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2024
Midsize banks underwrite a huge volume of loans for commercial real estate, so if developers and property owners have a hard time paying them off, that could set off a chain reaction in the financial sector, too.
—Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024
Sepsis, where infection triggers a chain reaction in the body that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death, develops in about 1.7 million Americans each year and is linked to 350,000 deaths annually.
—Carolyn Barber, Fortune, 27 Mar. 2024
But in a chain reaction, nine states, all led by Republican secretaries of state, dropped out of the program.
—Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2024
The most likely cause in a chain reaction was a filter blockage where liquid oxygen is supplied to the engines.
—Aashna Shah, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chain reaction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near chain reaction
Cite this Entry
“Chain reaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chain%20reaction. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
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