heavy chain

noun

: either of the two larger of the four polypeptide chains comprising antibodies compare light chain

Examples of heavy chain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For footwear, the musician opted for an edgy boot from New Rock; the style featured heavy chain detailing and more metallic hardware. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 31 July 2026

Responders found dogs restrained by heavy chains, with only ramshackle doghouses or plastic barrels for shelter. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026

Kunzweiler gestured toward the defense table, where Wilkens sat in a striped orange jail jumpsuit, her handcuffs padlocked to a heavy chain at her waist, her ankles shackled together in leg irons. — Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026

Bottom trawlers are filmed towing nets with a heavy chain along the seafloor, indiscriminately catching creatures in their path and churning up dense clouds of carbon-rich sediment. — Nell Lewis, CNN Money, 8 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for heavy chain

• aeroplane
• appertain
• ascertain
• capitaine
• cassegrain
• cellophane
• chatelaine
• counterpane
• entertain
• halothane
• hurricane
• hyperplane

Medical Definition

heavy chain

noun

ˈhev-ē-ˈchān 

: either of the two larger of the four polypeptide chains comprising antibodies compare light chain