chain

chain1 [ tʃeın ] noun ***

▸ 1 connected metal rings

▸ 2 series of people/things

▸ 3 group of businesses

▸ 4 in selling houses

▸ 5 something limiting freedom

1. ) count or uncount 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.

a ) count 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.

b ) count the circle of connected metal parts that turns the wheels of a bicycle

c ) count usually plural a 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.

2. ) count a series of people or 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.

human chain (=a line of people): Firefighters formed a human chain to carry the injured climbers to safety.

=> CHAIN OF COMMAND

a ) 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.

b ) SCIENCE a series of atoms connected in a line:

a polymer chain

3. ) count 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

4. ) count BRITISH a situation in which you cannot sell your house until the person whose house you are buying has bought their new home. This situation can involve many people because the sale of each person's house depends on the sale of the next.

5. ) chains plural LITERARY conditions that limit your freedom, especially unpleasant responsibilities or bad conditions that you live in

chain

chain 2 [ tʃeın ] verb transitive

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

be chained to something

to be forced to stay in an unpleasant situation:

With a major deadline to meet, Hannah had been chained to her desk all weekend.