DictionaryAI

chain

CHAYN/ˈt͡ʃeɪn/

Pluralchains

Verbchains, chaining, chained

22 meanings of chain

Practice

  1. 1
    metal ropenouncountable or uncountable
    A series of connected rings or links, usually made of metal, used for pulling, fastening, or securing things.

    The anchor hung from a heavy iron chain.

    He locked his bike to the fence with a heavy chain.

    UsageA dog is kept on a chain; prisoners are in chains.

  2. 2
    seriesnouncountable
    A series of things connected to one another, with each one linked to the next.

    A chain of small mistakes led to the accident.

    The volcanic islands form a chain stretching across the Pacific.

    UsageUsually a chain of + plural noun: a chain of events, a chain of islands.

    Similarseries, string, sequence, succession

    Note

    A list can put items in order too, but a chain links them, with each one leading to or hanging on the next. That is why "an unfortunate chain of events" suggests cause, not mere coincidence.

  3. 3
    group of storesnouncountable
    A series of stores or businesses operating under the same brand name.

    The coffee chain opened its hundredth location this year.

    National chains have replaced many of the local shops downtown.

    UsageOften a chain of stores, a hotel chain, or before a noun: chain restaurants, a chain store.

    Similarfranchise, group

  4. 4
    jewelrynouncountable
    A strand of small interlocking metal links worn as jewelry on the neck or wrist, often with a pendant hanging from it.

    She fastened a delicate gold chain around her neck, and the locket settled just below her collarbone.

    The jeweler laid out a row of fine chains, each long enough to carry a pendant.

    Similarnecklace

  5. 5
    verbtransitive
    To fasten, secure, or restrain someone or something with a chain or chains.

    Workers chain the heavy equipment to the truck bed before long drives.

    She chained her bicycle to a lamppost outside the library.

    UsageChain something to something (chain a bike to a rack); chain up a dog or a prisoner.

  6. 6
    atomsnouncountable
    A series of atoms bonded one after another, forming all or part of a molecule.

    Octane contains a chain of eight carbon atoms.

    Polymers form when small molecules join into long chains.

    Note

    Chemists use it for the backbone of a molecule, most often a run of carbon atoms bonded one to the next. A branch hanging off that backbone is a side chain. Both the length of a chain and how much it branches shape properties such as boiling point. The image is the same as in the metal chain, with each atom serving as a link.

    Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

    • Carbon atoms readily bond to one another to form molecular chains. en.wikipedia.org
    • A branch extending from a molecular backbone is called a side chain. en.wikipedia.org
    • Chain length and branching affect properties including boiling point. openstax.org
  7. 7
    nouncountable
    Something that confines, holds, or secures a person or thing; a bond.

    He came to see his debts as a chain holding him in place.

    The speech urged listeners to throw off the chains of ignorance.

    UsageUsually plural, as in the chains of habit; people break them or throw them off.

    Similarshackle, fetter, bond, yoke

    Note

    In Milton's Paradise Lost (1667), the fallen are driven "to chains of darkness and the undying worm." The figure stays close to the literal metal chain, which is why chains are thrown off or broken rather than simply ended.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of chain apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

Chain came into Middle English as cheyne or chaine, borrowed from Old French chaine, which came from Latin catēna ("chain"), whose earlier origin is uncertain. It is a doublet of catena.

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 3 facts