chain Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
    concatenation.
    • the chain of command
    • a complicated concatenation of circumstances
  2. noun (chemistry) a series of linked atoms (generally in an organic molecule)
    chemical chain.
  3. noun a series of (usually metal) rings or links fitted into one another to make a flexible ligament
  4. noun (business) a number of similar establishments (stores or restaurants or banks or hotels or theaters) under one ownership
  5. noun anything that acts as a restraint
  6. noun a unit of length
  7. noun British biochemist (born in Germany) who isolated and purified penicillin, which had been discovered in 1928 by Sir Alexander Fleming (1906-1979)
    Sir Ernst Boris Chain; Ernst Boris Chain.
  8. noun a series of hills or mountains
    mountain range; mountain chain; range of mountains; chain of mountains; range.
    • the valley was between two ranges of hills
    • the plains lay just beyond the mountain range
  9. noun a linked or connected series of objects
    • a chain of daisies
  10. noun a necklace made by a stringing objects together;
    strand; string.
    • a string of beads
    • a strand of pearls
  11. verb connect or arrange into a chain by linking
  12. verb fasten or secure with chains
    • Chain the chairs together

WordNet

Chain noun
Etymology
F. chaîne, fr. L. catena. Cf. Catenate.
Definitions
  1. A series of links or rings, usually of metal, connected, or fitted into one another, used for various purposes, as of support, of restraint, of ornament, of the exertion and transmission of mechanical power, etc.
    [They] put a chain of gold about his neck. Dan. v. 29.
  2. That which confines, fetters, or secures, as a chain; a bond; as, the chains of habit.
    Driven down To chains of darkness and the undying worm. Milton.
  3. A series of things linked together; or a series of things connected and following each other in succession; as, a chain of mountains; a chain of events or ideas.
  4. (Surv.) An instrument which consists of links and is used in measuring land. ✍ One commonly in use is Gunter's chain, which consists of one hundred links, each link being seven inches and ninety-two one hundredths in length; making up the total length of rods, or sixty-six, feet; hence, a measure of that length; hence, also, a unit for land measure equal to four rods square, or one tenth of an acre.
  5. pl. (Naut.) Iron links bolted to the side of a vessel to bold the dead-eyes connected with the shrouds; also, the channels.
  6. (Weaving) The warp threads of a web. Knight.
Chain transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect past participle Chained present participle & verbal noun Chaining
Definitions
  1. To fasten, bind, or connect with a chain; to fasten or bind securely, as with a chain; as, to chain a bulldog.
    Chained behind the hostile car. Prior.
  2. To keep in slavery; to enslave.
    And which more blest? who chained his country, say Or he whose virtue sighed to lose a day? Pope.
  3. To unite closely and strongly.
    And in this vow do chain my soul to thine. Shak.
  4. (Surveying) To measure with the chain.
  5. To protect by drawing a chain across, as a harbor.

Webster 1913