variants or less commonly chain saw
plural chainsaws also chain saws
: a portable power tool used for cutting that has sharp teeth linked together to form a continuous chain
chainsaw transitive verb
chainsawed; chainsawed also chainsawn ˈchān-ˌsȯn How to pronounce chainsaw (audio) ; chainsawing; chainsaws

Examples of chainsaw in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Related Stories This leads to… his accidental death by chainsaw. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026 Body camera footage shows a firefighter climbing across the ladder onto the roof with a chainsaw. — Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026 The world’s richest person, MAGA donor, chainsaw waver, baby daddy and would-be Mars colonizer takes a thrashing. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026 These mainstays offer hardworking actors seasonal jobs, but usually don’t allow for any real narrative besides jump scares and chainsaws. — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chainsaw

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chainsaw was in 1946

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chainsaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chainsaw. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

chain saw

noun
: a portable power saw that has teeth linked together to form a continuous chain
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