Chain
/tʃeɪn/
Definitions
3 meaningsA series of links or rings usually of metal fastened together.
/tʃeɪn/
A series of metal links
The dog was on a chain.
💡 Simply: Imagine a bunch of rings hooked together, like a metal necklace. That's a chain!
👶 For kids: Rings linked together!
More Examples
The chain was made of silver.
The bicycle chain broke.
How It's Used
"He used a chain to secure the gate."
"She wore a delicate gold chain."
A connected series or sequence of things.
/tʃeɪn/
A sequence of events or things
There was a chain of command.
💡 Simply: Like dominoes falling, one thing after another. That's a chain of events.
👶 For kids: Things that happen one after another.
More Examples
A chain reaction occurred.
How It's Used
"A chain of events led to the disaster."
To restrain or fasten something using a chain.
/tʃeɪn/
To fasten with a chain
The prisoner was chained to the wall.
💡 Simply: To tie something up securely with a chain.
👶 For kids: To tie something with a chain.
More Examples
They chained the gate shut.
How It's Used
"He chained the dog to the post."
Idioms & expressions
break a chain
To interrupt or end a sequence or series.
"The good news broke the chain of bad luck."
From Old French *chaine, from Latin catena.
The word's use in reference to sequences of events has become increasingly common in modern English.
Memory tip
Think of a bike chain – links connecting to move.