Definition of 'chain'

Word Frequency

chain

(tʃeɪn )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense chains , present participle chaining , past tense, past participle chained

1. countable noun

A chain consists of metal rings connected together in a line.

His open shirt revealed a fat gold chain.

The dogs were leaping and growling at the full stretch of their chains.

Synonyms: tether, coupling, link, bond More Synonyms of chain

2. plural noun [in NOUN]

If prisoners are in chains, they have thick rings of metal round their wrists or ankles to prevent them from escaping.

He'd spent four and a half years in windowless cells, much of the time in chains.

3. plural noun [oft NOUN of noun]

You can refer to feelings and duties which prevent you from doing what you want to do as chains.

[literary]

He had to break right now the chains of habit that bound him to the present.

4. verb

If a person or thing is chained to something, they are fastened to it with a chain.

The dog was chained to the leg of the one solid garden seat. [be VERB-ed + to]

She chained her bike to the railings. [VERB noun + to]

Some demonstrators chained themselves to railings inside the court building. [VERB noun to noun]

We were sitting together in our cell, chained to the wall. [VERB-ed]

Synonyms: bind, confine, restrain, handcuff More Synonyms of chain

Chain up means the same as chain.

I'll lock the doors and chain you up. [VERB noun PARTICLE]

They kept me chained up every night and released me each day. [VERB-ed PARTICLE]

All the rowing boats were chained up. [VERB-ed PARTICLE]

[Also VERB PARTICLE noun]

5. countable noun

A chain of things is a group of them existing or arranged in a line.

...a chain of islands known as the Windward Islands. [+ of]

Students tried to form a human chain around the parliament.

6. countable noun

A chain of shops, hotels, or other businesses is a number of them owned by the same person or company.

...a large supermarket chain.

...Italy's leading chain of cinemas. [+ of]

7. singular noun

A chain of events is a series of them happening one after another.

...the bizarre chain of events that led to his departure in January 1938. [+ of]

8. See also food chain

Phrasal verbs:

See chain up

More Synonyms of chain

Video: pronunciation of
chain

chain in British English

(tʃeɪn )

noun

a flexible length of metal links, used for confining, connecting, pulling, etc, or in jewellery

2. (usually plural)

anything that confines, fetters, or restrains

the chains of poverty

3. Also called: snow chains (usually plural)

a set of metal links that fit over the tyre of a motor vehicle to increase traction and reduce skidding on an icy surface

a number of establishments such as hotels, shops, etc, having the same owner or management

(as modifier)

a chain store

a series of related or connected facts, events, etc

a series of deals in which each depends on a purchaser selling before being able to buy

(of reasoning) a sequence of arguments each of which takes the conclusion of the preceding as a premise

See (as an example) sorites

8. Also called: Gunter's chain

a unit of length equal to 22 yards

9. Also called: engineer's chain

a unit of length equal to 100 feet

10. chemistry

two or more atoms or groups bonded together so that the configuration of the resulting molecule, ion, or radical resembles a chain

Chain in British English

(tʃeɪn )

noun

Sir Ernst Boris. 1906–79, British biochemist, born in Germany: purified and adapted penicillin for clinical use; with Fleming and Florey shared the Nobel prize for physiology or medicine 1945

Word Frequency

Chain in American English

(tʃeɪn )

Ernst Boris1906-79; Brit. biochemist, born in Germany

Word Frequency

chain in American English

(tʃeɪn )

noun

a flexible series of joined links, usually of metal, used to pull, confine, etc. or to transmit power

tire chain

3. [pl.]

bonds, shackles, etc.

anything that binds, ties, or restrains

chains of love

captivity; bondage

any chainlike ornament, badge, etc.

a chainlike measuring instrument, or its measure of length

; specif.,

a surveyor's (or Gunter's) chain (66 feet or 20.117 meters or 100 links)

an engineer's chain (100 feet or 30.48 meters or 100 links)

c. American Football

a chain 10 yards in length, used to measure for a first down

: often the chains

a series of things connected causally, logically, physically, etc.

chain of events, mountain chain

7. US

a number of stores, restaurants, etc. owned by one company

8. Chemistry

a linkage of atoms in a molecule

see also open chain, closed chain, side chain

verb transitive

to fasten or shackle with chains

10.

to hold down, restrain, confine, etc.

SIMILAR WORDS: ˈseries

Word origin

ME & OFr chaine < L catena < IE base *kat-, to twist, twine > prob. OE heathor, confinement

Word Frequency

chain in Retail

(tʃeɪn)

Word forms: (regular plural) chains

noun

(Retail: Outlets)

A chain is a number of similar stores, hotels or restaurants with the same owner or management.

They are a nationwide retail chain with over 90 stores.

Large retail chains have pushed out many of the independent businesses from town centers.

A chain is a number of similar stores, hotels or restaurants with the same owner or management.

chain store

Related wordsA retailer that is not part of one of the big retail chains is described as independent.

Examples of 'chain' in a sentence
chain

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…

Most of the large academy chains have no need of selection.Lock the door and put chains on?The fuel supply chain is making opportunistic profits while sterling tanks.It may damage rather than help the nuclear supply chain in this country.Not knowing the law or trying to pass the buck to another company in the chain is no excuse.He chained his bike to a fence and told his parents there was a spare key to the lock in his bedroom.Rugby union is one gigantic chain with one man's role integral to another.If so, those responsible higher up the chain of command must be held accountable.BRITAIN'S biggest pub chain is toasting a profit - after overhauling the business to deal with new laws.He wears heavy gold chains and bracelets, is well over 6ft and fairly broad.