chain

I UK [tʃeɪn] / US noun
Word forms "chain":
singular chain plural chains
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1) [countable/uncountable] a series of metal rings connected to each other, used for fastening, pulling, or lifting things

There was a rusty iron chain hanging from the gate.

The crate was secured with a strong chain.

a) [countable] a series of small metal rings connected to each other that is worn as a decoration

She wore a delicate gold chain around her neck.

b) [countable] the circle of connected metal parts that turns the wheels of a bicycle

c) [countable, usually plural] a long series of heavy metal rings fastened like a rope to a prisoner's arms and legs

in chains:

Women prisoners were kept in chains during childbirth.

2) [countable] a series of things of the same type that form a connected line

chain of:

In 1910 there was a proposal for a chain of telegraph stations to link up the empire.

The region includes Sumatra, Java, and a chain of smaller islands extending eastwards.

a) a group of people that form a line

human chain (= a line of people):

Firefighters formed a human chain to carry the injured climbers to safety.

b) science a part of a molecule consisting of a series of atoms connected in a line

a polymer chain

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See:

chain of command

3) [countable] a long series of events, facts, or ideas that are all related to each other

chain of:

a chain of events that eventually led to murder

The virus becomes weaker as it passes down the chain of infection.

4) [countable] a group of businesses such as shops, hotels, or restaurants that all belong to the same person or company

Japan's leading hotel chain

chain of:

a chain of electrical goods shops

5) [countable] British a situation in which you cannot sell your house until the person whose house you are buying has bought their new house. This situation can involve many people because the sale of each person's house depends on the sale of the next

We've been in a chain for five months.

6) chains

[plural] literary conditions that limit your freedom, especially unpleasant responsibilities or bad conditions that you live in
II UK [tʃeɪn] / US verb [transitive]
Word forms "chain":
present tense I/you/we/they chain he/she/it chains present participle chaining past tense chained past participle chained

to use a chain to fasten something so that it cannot be stolen, or to fasten someone so that they cannot escape

The more dangerous prisoners were kept chained.

chain someone/something to something:

Protesters had chained themselves to the railings.

chain someone/something up:

rows of chained up bikes

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- be chained to something