chain

noun

UK /tʃeɪn/

Word Forms

singular	chain
plural	chains

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.
Synonyms and related words
Things used for tying and fastening
rope
chain
string
1. 1a
  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.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for jewels
  bauble
  bling
  chain
2. 1b
  countable the circle of connected metal parts that turns the wheels of a bicycle
  Synonyms and related words
  Parts of bicycles and motorcycles
  carrier
  chain
  crossbar
3. 1c
  countable usually plurala 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.
  Synonyms and related words
  Relating to prison life
  chain
  compound
  conjugal visit
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.
Synonyms and related words
People and things arranged in a particular way
chain
circle
formation
1. 2a
  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.
  Synonyms and related words
  Lines of people or their vehicles
  caravan
  chain
  column
2. 2b
  sciencea part of a molecule consisting of a series of atoms connected in a line
  a polymer chain
  Synonyms and related words
  Atoms and parts of atoms
  alpha particle
  anion
  antiparticle
See alsochain 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.
Synonyms and related words
Series of events or occurrences
pattern
process
train
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
Synonyms and related words
General types of business or company
account
acquisition
affiliate
5
countable Britisha 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.
Synonyms and related words
Relating to buying or leasing real estate
beds
bond
bridging loan
6

chains
plural literaryconditions that limit your freedom, especially unpleasant responsibilities or bad conditions that you live in
Synonyms and related words
Limits, controls and ranges
red line
limit
constraint

chain

noun

US /tʃeɪn/

Word Forms

singular	chain
plural	chains

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.
Synonyms and related words
Things used for tying and fastening
rope
chain
string
1. 1a
  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.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for jewels
  bauble
  bling
  chain
2. 1b
  countable the circle of connected metal parts that turns the wheels of a bicycle
  Synonyms and related words
  Parts of bicycles and motorcycles
  carrier
  chain
  crossbar
3. 1c
  countable usually plurala 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.
  Synonyms and related words
  Relating to prison life
  chain
  compound
  conjugal visit
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 eastward.
Synonyms and related words
People and things arranged in a particular way
chain
circle
formation
1. 2a
  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.
  Synonyms and related words
  Lines of people or their vehicles
  caravan
  chain
  column
2. 2b
  sciencea part of a molecule consisting of a series of atoms connected in a line
  a polymer chain
  Synonyms and related words
  Atoms and parts of atoms
  alpha particle
  anion
  antiparticle
See alsochain 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.
Synonyms and related words
Series of events or occurrences
pattern
process
train
4
countable a group of businesses such as stores, hotels, or restaurants that all belong to the same person or company
Japan’s leading hotel chain
chain of:
a chain of appliance stores
Synonyms and related words
General types of business or company
account
acquisition
affiliate
5
countable Britisha 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.
Synonyms and related words
Relating to buying or leasing real estate
appraisal
appraise
balloon mortgage
6

chains
plural literaryconditions that limit your freedom, especially unpleasant responsibilities or bad conditions that you live in
Synonyms and related words
Limits, controls and ranges
red line
limit
constraint

chain

verb transitive

UK /tʃeɪn/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	chain
he/she/it	chains
present participle	chaining
past tense	chained
past participle	chained

1
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
Synonyms and related words
To fasten something to itself
tie up
buckle
do up
Synonyms and related words
To tie up a person or animal
tie up
gag
chain

phrases

be chained to something

chain

verb transitive

US /tʃeɪn/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	chain
he/she/it	chains
present participle	chaining
past tense	chained
past participle	chained

1
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
Synonyms and related words
To fasten something to itself
tie up
buckle
do up
Synonyms and related words
To tie up a person or animal
tie up
gag
chain

phrases

be chained to something

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chains

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chains

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chain

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