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to chain

to chain

58 2.3
To fasten things together using metal links
  • verb
  • /tʃeɪn/
: encadenar
  • Why'd you chain the door shut?
  • chain together
  • chain a dog
  • keep chained

Examples

  • We're safe only for as long as we keep it chained and force it to obey us.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Because Pop-Pop used to lock me in the attic chained to a radiator.

  • Well, I'll alert the staff and chain up the dogs.

  • Chain yourself to that pipe.

  • Luke and other camp workers' legs are chained together for their attempts to escape.

    Academic text (2005)
  • As soon as he was cut free, another protestor chained himself to the vehicle in a similar fashion.

    Academic text (2000)
  • How long had the Addershag been a captive of those men, chained and imprisoned in that cellar?

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The door was double-locked and chained, and he had a chair propped under the knob.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The volunteers decided to chain themselves to the fence to prevent further construction.

  • In a show of protest, they chained their bikes together to block the entrance.

Synonyms

to attach
vsto chain
599 2.5

To join or fasten one thing to another so they stay together

is similar but done specifically by using linked metal loops
to connect
vsto chain
215 1.1

Join two things so they form one piece

is a literal fastening done with linked metal loops rather than a general join
to tie up
vsto chain
57 2.2

Fasten something with rope so it cannot move

does the same securing but uses linked metal loops to hold things
to string
vsto chain
41 1.9

To tie things together with a thin cord

uses linked metal loops rather than a thin cord for fastening
to band
vsto chain
34 3.3

To tie things together with a loop of material

uses linked metal loops instead of a flat strip to fasten items
to link up
vsto chain
  • Informal
29 3.0

To join people, places, or things so they become connected

refers to physically fastening items together using linked metal loops
to chain up
vsto chain
24 4.6

To tie someone or something with a chain to keep them from moving

is about fastening things specifically using linked metal loops
to rope
vsto chain
13 1.0

To tie or secure something with a strong cord

uses linked metal loops instead of a fibre cord for fastening
to interconnect
vsto chain
12 4.7

Join things so they can work together

is a physical fastening method that uses linked metal loops rather than system linking
to lash
vsto chain
11 4.7

To fasten something securely with rope or cord

performs fastening through linked metal loops rather than wrapping cord
to tether
vsto chain
10 4.4

To tie an animal or object so it cannot move away

is about fastening items together specifically with linked metal loops
to interlink
vsto chain
4 4.5

Connect things so they depend on each other

is the physical fastening that uses linked metal loops to link items
to truss
vsto chain
3 7.0

To tie the legs and wings of a bird so it cooks evenly

achieves secure fastening specifically by using linked metal loops
to lash together
vsto chain
2 4.4

To tie things together with rope to hold them in place

does the same joining but uses linked metal loops to fasten
to cable
vsto chain
2 5.5

To fasten something with a strong wire or rope

uses linked metal loops instead of a thick wire for fastening
to enchain
vsto chain
  • Archaic
1 9.5

To tie someone with chains or hold them under close control

focuses on fastening items together using linked metal loops
to catenate
vsto chain
9.9

To link things together in a chain

does the same linking but specifically by using linked metal loops

Antonyms

185 1.0

Make something less tight so it can move or open

104 3.5

To separate something so it is no longer joined, for example remove a cable or turn off power

7 4.1

Remove chains and other things that hold someone so they are free

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

Phrasal Verbs

24 4.6

To tie someone or something with a chain to keep them from moving

To smoke cigarettes one after another without stopping

To start a set of events where each event makes the next happen

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 Secure

to lock
∞ 1.0
shackle
52 7.1
to chain
58 2.3
to bind
64 3.2
to tie
702 1.0

Surface Forms

chain infinitive
chained past
chained past participle
chaining present participle
chains third person singular

Etymology

Chain comes from the Latin catena 'chain', and to chain something is to fasten or link it with a chain, which is exactly like joining rings together to hold things in place.