chainsaw

noun

chain·​saw ˈchān-ˌsȯ 

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  ; chainsawing; chainsaws

Examples of chainsaw in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After jiggling it in the lock for a bit, Brunson resorts to a sledge hammer and finally a chainsaw, without success. — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026

Communities can reduce their fire risk by thinning out grass, brush, and trees with weed trimmers, mowers, and chainsaws. — Ingfei Chen, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026

Both the lawsuit and prosecutors allege that Burke used a chainsaw to sever Celeste’s limbs in his garage and tried to collect the blood in a kiddie pool. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Gospel John dies in The Gentlemen season 2 finale, after Eddie forces Freddy to kill him with a chainsaw. — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chainsaw

• aa
• aha
• bashaw
• bradshaw
• byelaw
• bylaw
• cheraw
• coleslaw
• crenshaw
• dada
• esau
• foresaw

Kids Definition

chain saw

noun

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