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chain

chain

386 2.0
A series of connected events where each follows the next
  • noun
  • /tʃeɪn/
: cadena
  • It's kind of like the army, like a chain of command.
  • supply chain
  • chain of command
  • chain reaction

It depends who narrated the chain of those sayings.

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Examples

  • We had a whole scenario on supply chain disruptions.

  • It's not just another link in a chain of evolution.

  • What we are seeing is that it's hard to keep any chain going forever.

  • We still have a chain of command.

  • And then that all gets read out further down the chain of the experiment.

  • So our supply chain is now disrupted big time.

  • I see myself in a chain of people endeavoring to do that.

  • At any point along the way, the chain can be broken; resistance can halt momentum.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The process forms a chain with each step sequentially linked to the next.

    Academic text (2013)
  • The teacher explained the chain of events that led to the project's success.

Synonyms

series
vschain
∞ 1.8

A number of similar things or events happening one after another

is specifically about items connected so each depends on the next
sequence
vschain
342 3.2

A set of things or events that come one after another in a specific order

stresses the dependency of each element on the previous one
succession
vschain
46 4.1

A series of people or things that come one after another

is about direct linkage and dependence between successive elements
cascade
vschain
28 5.3

A series of events where one event causes the next

is any linked series, not necessarily one step triggering the next
chain of events
vschain
21 3.2

A series of connected events where each one causes the next

is the broader label for linked items beyond only events
domino effect
vschain
11 4.0

A chain of events in which one event causes the next to happen

is the neutral concept of linked items without implied causation
daisy chain
vschain
4 5.5

A series of people or things linked one after another

is a straight linked order where each depends on the previous
concatenation
vschain
1 9.9

A series of things like events or ideas joined in a chain

focuses on general linked items rather than the formal process term
1 3.8

A list of events in the order they happened

covers ordered links generally, not only temporal ordering
enchainment
vschain
  • Literature
1 9.3

Connecting ideas and sentences so they follow each other clearly

is the general physical or event-based series rather than textual linking
catena
vschain
1 9.9

A series of connected comments or notes on a text

is the common everyday term for a linked sequence of items
1 6.8

A list of events in the order they happened

is broader, applying to linked things not only timed events
chainlet
vschain
8.6

A short series of related events or items that connect to a larger series

is the full connected series rather than a small subsection

Antonyms

220 2.6

The process of moving apart or staying apart

Being separate from people, things, or contact, for example losing internet

Idioms

13 8.7

Tease someone to make them react

8 9.0

Very exciting or impressive, and also free to move when set free

To allow someone to act freely after a time of control

Compounds

A system in an organization where instructions move from people at the top to people below

food chain
  • Specialized
48 2.6

A series of living things where each is eaten by the next

31 2.5

A portable machine with a moving chain of teeth for cutting wood

A series of connected events where each one causes the next

16 2.4

A store that is part of a group owned by the same company and sells the same goods

chain gang
  • Archaic
15 8.8

A group of prisoners chained together to do hard work as punishment

chain reaction
  • Specialized
15 4.1

A series of chemical or nuclear reactions in which one reaction makes the next start

11 4.8

A message that asks you to send it to many people, often as a scam

11 2.4

The system that produces, moves, and sells food from farms to shops

A group of places that serve food under the same name and menu

5 8.6

A flexible shirt of small metal rings joined together for protection

4 2.8

A group of stores owned or run by the same company that sell similar goods

long chain
  • Specialized
4 5.1

A line of many atoms, usually carbon, joined together in a molecule

4 5.5

A series of people or things linked one after another

long-chain
  • Specialized
3 6.7

Having many atoms joined in a long line inside a molecule

A loop of metal links that moves power from the pedals to the back wheel

3 3.5

A person who lights many cigarettes one after another

2 3.0

A group of shops owned by the same company that sell goods at low prices

watch chain
  • Archaic
2 2.8

A short chain or ribbon that holds a pocket watch on a vest

ball and chain
  • Archaic
2 6.9

A heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner's leg by a chain

1 3.7

A chain put around a car tire to help it grip snow or ice

1 3.4

A heavy chain or strong rope that connects a boat to the metal piece that holds it in place

chain email
  • Texting
1 3.5

An email that asks you to forward it to many people, often with threats or promises

1 1.6

A string of paper loops linked together to decorate a room for a party

1 4.1

A string of daisies linked together and used as a decoration

A long line of high land with many connected peaks

chain reaction
  • Specialized
1 4.5

A process in which one nuclear event makes more nuclear events happen, keeping the reaction going

1 3.4

A metal chain that fits around a car tire to help it grip snow or ice

long-chain molecule
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A very large group of atoms joined together in a long chain like in proteins or plastics

A line of connected mountains or hills

Markov chain
  • Specialized
1 9.1

A system where each next step depends only on the current step

branched chain
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A line of connected atoms with one or more small groups attached

1 8.2

A protective shirt made of small metal rings linked together, worn by knights and soldiers

A company that owns many clothing stores under the same brand

1 4.7

A chain with a handle that you use to turn on a light or flush a toilet

chemical chain
  • Specialized
1 4.5

A long series of atoms joined together that forms part of a molecule like in plastic

chain reactor
  • Specialized
1 6.3

A machine that makes nuclear energy by splitting atoms in a controlled chain reaction

chain stitch
  • Specialized
1 4.6

A line of loops made with thread used in embroidery or crochet to make a chain pattern on fabric

1 8.8

A fish that lives in fresh water with a long body and dark marks like a chain

straight chain
  • Specialized
1 5.5

Atoms in a molecule form a single row with no branches

1 8.2

A small tree or bush with long clusters of bright yellow flowers

A lightning bolt that splits into several forks in the sky

1 2.9

A string of flowers worn or hung for decoration

1 9.1

A magical attack that hits one target then jumps to nearby targets

chain wrench
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A hand tool with a chain loop that grips and turns pipes or other round things

A range of hills in northern England that separates rivers flowing to different coasts

1 9.9

A small freshwater fish with chain-like markings that eats other fish

chain tongs
  • Specialized
1 8.1

A tool with a chain and handle that grips and turns large pipes

chain printer
  • Archaic
1 7.5

A fast, noisy machine that hits metal letters against paper to make many pages of text

chain fern
  • Specialized
1 8.6

A fern with long leaves that have chainlike rows of small spore cases underneath

9.9

A genetic illness that makes urine smell like maple syrup and can damage the brain in young children

closed chain
  • Specialized
6.9

A ring of atoms joined in a molecule to form a loop

9.1

A length of 100 feet that people use to measure land

A small garden tree with hanging groups of bright yellow flowers

Gunter's chain
  • Archaic
9.9

A historical length for measuring land equal to 22 yards

nautical chain
  • Archaic
7.5

A length used at sea equal to 15 feet or about 4.6 meters

open chain
  • Specialized
7.2

A chain of atoms in a molecule whose ends do not join to make a ring

polygonal chain
  • Specialized
8.2

A line made of straight parts joined end to end

A line of towers with moving shutters that send messages people can see over long distances

Virginia chain fern
  • Specialized
9.1

A North American plant with chain-like leaves that grows in wetlands and wet woods

How Long

chain
386 2.0
sequence
342 3.2
string
171 2.7

Surface Forms

chain singular
chains plural

Etymology

Chain comes from the Latin catena 'chain', and a chain of events is a series of things linked together, each one connected to the next just like the links in a metal chain.