chase

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈchās 

1

a

: the hunting of wild animals

—used with the

b

: the act of chasing : pursuit

The police caught the robbers after a high-speed chase on the highway.

c

: an earnest or frenzied seeking after something desired

this mad chase of fame

—John Dryden

2

: something pursued : quarry

A fox was the hunter's chase.

3

: a tract of unenclosed land used as a game preserve

4

: steeplechase sense 1

observed the chase with binoculars

5

: a sequence (as in a movie) in which the characters pursue one another

The movie's chases involved cars and helicopters.

chase

2 of 5

verb (1)

chased; chasing

transitive verb

1

a

: to follow rapidly : pursue

a dog chasing a rabbit

b

: hunt

c

: to follow regularly or persistently with the intention of attracting or alluring

He was always chasing after women.

2

obsolete : harass

3

: to seek out

—often used with down

detectives chasing down clues

4

: to cause to depart or flee : drive

chase the dog out of the garden

5

: to cause the removal of (a baseball pitcher) by a batting rally

6

: to swing at (a baseball pitched out of the strike zone)

intransitive verb

1

: to chase an animal, person, or thing

chase after material possessions

2

: rush, hasten

chased all over town looking for a place to stay

chase

3 of 5

verb (2)

chased; chasing

transitive verb

1

a

: to ornament (metal) by indenting with a hammer and tools without a cutting edge

b

: to make by such indentation

c

: to set with gems

2

a

: groove, indent

b

: to cut (a thread) with a chaser

chase

4 of 5

noun (2)

1

: groove, furrow

2

: the bore of a cannon

3

a

: trench

b

: a channel (as in a wall) for something to lie in or pass through

chase

5 of 5

noun (3)

: a rectangular steel or iron frame in which letterpress matter is locked (as for printing)

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• prey
• quarry

Verb (1)

• banish
• boot (out)
• bounce
• cast out
• dismiss
• drum (out)
• eject
• expel
• extrude
• kick out
• oust
• out
• rout
• run off
• throw out
• turf (out) [chiefly British]
• turn out

Choose the Right Synonym for chase

chase, pursue, follow, trail mean to go after or on the track of something or someone.

chase implies going swiftly after and trying to overtake something fleeing or running.

a dog chasing a cat

pursue suggests a continuing effort to overtake, reach, or attain.

pursued the criminal through narrow streets

follow puts less emphasis upon speed or intent to overtake.

friends followed me home in their car

trail may stress a following of tracks or traces rather than a visible object.

trail deer

trailed a suspect across the country

Examples of chase in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the gazelle is a favorite chase of lions

a high-speed car chase

Verb (1)

chased the cat out of the garden

a dog that likes to chase cars

owls often chase mice in the dark

they chased all over the place to find the missing child

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In 2021, Duran was arrested after leading authorities on a car and foot chase in which he was charged with committing a hit-and-run, resisting arrest and fleeing from a police officer. —Louis Casiano, Fox News, 9 May 2024

The land immerses visitors in the titular place populated by animals in the 2016 film, with attractions that include Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, where guests can join the rabbit Judy and the fox Nick on a chase in one of their police cruisers. —Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 9 May 2024

He was apprehended after leading authorities on a high-speed chase. —Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2024

The chase spanned 19 miles over 17 minutes, and reached a maximum speed of 86 miles per hour. —Adrienne Davis, Journal Sentinel, 9 May 2024

On Voyager’s final night aloft, Burt Rutan flew up in a chase plane to greet his brother. —Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 8 May 2024

Related Articles Wheeler rung up five Giants looking, powered his four-seamer past another four empty swings and coaxed a couple chases on breaking balls for 11 strikeouts. —Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 6 May 2024

He was arrested in 2012 after making a U-turn to avoid a checkpoint and leading police on a high-speed chase. —Deon J. Hampton, NBC News, 30 Apr. 2024

Besse said Calderon was arrested and convicted in 2005 for driving drunk, leading police on a chase, and killing another person in the process. —City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2024

Verb

There’s an amazing sequence where the apes are chasing the humans, that’s a reversal in perspective of what happens in the ’68 film. —Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 10 May 2024

The victim's boyfriend chased and caught Ruelas, who eventually escaped and ran away. —Pilar Arias, Fox News, 9 May 2024

When nothing makes sense, there's almost something grounding about Mulaney's low-grade vocal fry coming in with dry wit amid discussions of helicopters chasing O.J. Simpson. —Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 9 May 2024

The officer chased the driver and saw the car move to the southbound lane to pass five vehicles that were waiting for a red light. —David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 8 May 2024

The battle felt a decade too late—two insanely accomplished rich guys chasing a thrill and desperately holding onto the past. —Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 6 May 2024

But one stunt in particular was iconic to the show and was repeated throughout the series: Seavers’ GMC Sierra jumping over various obstacles and barriers while chasing the bad guys. —Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 May 2024

Kristen Faulkner is racking up major cycling victories in Europe after leaving a career in venture capital to chase her childhood dreams of competing in the Olympics. —Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 3 May 2024

Bomba Slippers After a long day chasing toddlers, resting their feet is in order. —Emily Hochberg, Parents, 2 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French chace, from chacer — see chase entry 2

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French chacer, from Vulgar Latin *captiare — more at catch

Verb (2)

Middle English, modification of Anglo-French enchaser to set

Noun (2)

French chas eye of a needle, from Late Latin capsus enclosed space, alteration of Latin capsa box — more at case

Noun (3)

probably from French châsse frame, reliquary, from Middle French chasse, from Latin capsa

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1612, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing chase

• chase down
• chase up
• cut to the chase
• give chase
• give chase to
• lead (someone) a merry chase
• stern chase
• wild goose chase

Kids Definition

chase

1 of 3 noun

ˈchās 

1

a

: the hunting of animals

—used with the

b

: the act of chasing : pursuit

saw the thief and gave chase

2

: something pursued

3

: a scene (as in a movie) where the characters chase one another

chase

2 of 3 verb

chased; chasing

1

: to follow in order to capture or overtake

chase a thief

chase the bus

2

: hunt entry 1 sense 1

chase the fox

3

: to drive away or out

chase a dog off the lawn

chaser noun

chase

3 of 3 verb

chased; chasing

: to decorate (metal) by indenting with a hammer and tools without cutting edges

Biographical Definition

Chase 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

ˈchās 

Mary Ellen 1887–1973 American educator and author

Chase

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Sal*mon ˈsa-mən 

ˈsal-

Portland 1808–1873 American statesman; chief justice U.S. Supreme Court (1864–73)