chain reactionˌchain reˈaction noun [countable] 
Examples
A sudden drop on Wall Street can set off a chain reaction in other financial markets.
ExamplesEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- Interstate 35 was closed following a chain reaction crash that involved 93 vehicles.
- The atom splits, starting a nuclear chain reaction.
- Bombs in the magazine detonate in chain reaction in a split second.
- In a chain reaction on a world scale, prices on innumerable commodities skyrocketed within weeks.
- Instability would spread like a chain reaction.
- Products of the chain reaction were fractionated by size in agarose gels to detect the presence of insertions or deletions.
- The authorities have so far managed to prevent a chain reaction.
- The demise of Woosung could have a chain reaction on other subcontractors relying on a government helping hand, analysts said.
- This is the famous nuclear chain reaction.
Longman Language Activatora series of events and results► chain reaction
1technical a chemical or nuclear reaction which produces energy and causes more reactions of the same kind2a series of related events, each of which causes the next: a series of events, each of which is the result of the one before, and which cannot be stopped: · When oil prices rise, prices of other goods all over the world rise in a chain reaction.chain reaction of: · A chain reaction of events eventually led to the Prime Minister's resignation.start/set off a chain reaction: · The revolution set off a chain reaction of revolts in neighbouring states.
► knock-on effect British something that happens as a result of something that has happened before, and that you do not want to happen: knock-on effect of: · The knock-on effect of the rise in electricity prices is likely to be higher prices generally.knock-on effect on: · Any reduction in community care for the elderly will have a knock-on effect on hospitals.
► domino effect a series of events or actions, each one of which is caused by the effects of the previous one - use this especially about a series of bad things that happen: · If schools were allowed to become more selective, there would be a domino effect.have a domino effect (on something): · Opponents of the scheme claimed that if the museum moved from Golden Gate Park it would have a domino effect on the other facilities.
WORD SETS► Chemistryacetate, nounacid, nounacidic, adjectiveacidify, verbactive, adjectiveadditive, nounagent, nounalchemy, nounalcohol, nounalkali, nounalkaline, adjectiveamalgam, nounantioxidant, noun-ate, suffixatomic number, nounbase, nounbauxite, nounbeaker, nounbenzene, nounbiochemistry, nounbitumen, nounbleach, nounbond, nounbonding, nouncalcify, verbcarbohydrate, nouncarbonate, nouncarbon dioxide, nouncarbonize, verbcatalyst, nouncaustic, adjectivechain reaction, nounchemical, nounchemical, adjectivechemical reaction, nounchemist, nounchemistry, nounchlorinate, verbcitric acid, nouncombustion, nounconcentration, nouncondense, verbcontaminant, nouncontaminate, verbcontaminated, adjectivecorrode, verbcorrosion, nouncorrosive, adjectivecrucible, nouncrystal, nouncrystallize, verbcyanide, nounDDT, noundecay, verbdecay, noundecompose, verbdegrade, verbderive, verbdetoxification, noundextrose, noundioxin, noundispersion, noundissolve, verbdistill, verbeffervesce, verbeffervescent, adjectiveelectrolysis, nounelectrolyte, nounelectroplate, verbemulsify, verbemulsion, nounenzyme, nounexpand, verbfatty acid, nounferment, verbferment, nounflashback, nounflask, nounformaldehyde, nounformula, nounfructose, nounfungicide, nounfuse, verbgas, noungaseous, adjectiveglucose, noungranular, adjectivegraphite, nounhallucinogen, nounhelium, nounherbicide, nounhydrate, nouninert, adjectiveinsoluble, adjectiveinsulin, nounion, nounionize, verblactic acid, nounlimescale, nounlitmus, nounlitmus paper, nounlitmus test, nounmethane, nounmixture, nounmolecule, nounneon, nounnerve gas, nounneutralize, verbneutron, nounnitric acid, nounnucleic acid, nounnucleus, nounnutrient, nounorganic chemistry, nounosmosis, nounoxidize, verboxyacetylene, nounoxygenate, verbozone, nounpart, nounpectin, nounpesticide, nounpestle, nounpetrochemical, nounpH, nounphotosynthesis, nounplasma, nounpolyunsaturated, adjectivepotash, nounprecipitate, verbprecipitate, nounprecipitation, nounproduct, nounprussic acid, nounquicklime, nounradioactive, adjectiveradioactivity, nounradiology, nounreact, verbreaction, nounreactive, adjectivereagent, nounresidue, nounretort, nounriboflavin, nounsalt, nounsaltpetre, nounsaturate, verbsaturated, adjectivesaturation, nounsaturation point, nounsemiconductor, nounsoft, adjectivesolid, nounsolution, nounsolvent, nounstability, nounstabilizer, nounstable, adjectivestarch, nounsteam, nounsucrose, nounsulphate, nounsulphide, nounsulphur, nounsulphur dioxide, nounsulphuric acid, nounsulphurous, adjectivesurface tension, nounsuspension, nounsynthesize, verbsynthetic, adjectivetannin, nountartaric acid, nounTNT, noununstable, adjectivevalence, nounvitamin, nounvolatile, adjectivevulcanize, verbwater softener, nounwater-soluble, adjectivewater vapour, nounwetting agent, noun
A sudden drop on Wall Street can set off a chain reaction in other financial markets.