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

Among the dead were four people in an Acura hit by a Chevrolet Suburban in a chain reaction, the agency said. —Dennis Romero, NBC news, 29 May 2026

Fire officials had previously said that the tank of MMA was experiencing thermal runaway, a chain reaction resulting in an uncontrollable spike in temperatures. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026

That collision caused a chain reaction that resulted in several other vehicles being severely damaged, but no one else was injured, police said. —Harry Harris, Mercury News, 26 May 2026

This sparked a chain reaction crash involving four vehicles, state police said. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 17 May 2026

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