chain
chain — verb
1. to attach a person, animal, or object to a fixed point using a chain, so that fr
to attach a person, animal, or object to a fixed point using a chain, so that free movement is prevented or limited.
The dog was chained to a post in the corner of the yard.
passive: be chained to + place
Protesters chained themselves to the entrance of the government building.
Xiu chained her bicycle to the metal railing outside the station.
The prisoner had been chained by both ankles to the cell wall.
After the storm, Sana chained the garden gate shut to keep it secure.
chain + object + shut (resultative adjective)
- chain + to + place
- chain + together
- chain + shut
- chain by + body part
Grammar Patterns
chain + object + to/onto + place
chain + oneself + to + place
chain + object + shut
Usage Note
Frequently used in the passive voice. The preposition 'to' introduces the fixed attachment point ('chained to a wall'). Also common with reflexive pronouns ('chained herself to the gate') and with body parts introduced by 'by' ('chained by the ankle').
Common Mistakes
2. to link physical objects end to end, making a single connected line, row, or lin
to link physical objects end to end, making a single connected line, row, or linked group.
The security guard chained the gates together after closing time.
chain + object + together
All the new office chairs were chained together in one long row.
The team chained the sledges one behind the other before the trek.
Imran chained the empty carts together and pulled them to the storage shed.
- chain + together
- chain in a row
- chain in a line
Grammar Patterns
chain + object + together
be chained + together
chain + object in a + row/line
Usage Note
Typically used with the adverb 'together' to make the linking of separate objects explicit. Often appears in the passive. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 joins objects to each other in a line, rather than attaching one thing to a fixed point.
Common Mistakes
3. to connect events, actions, or processes so that they follow one after another o
to connect events, actions, or processes so that they follow one after another or depend on each other as parts of a linked series.
The series of discoveries was chained together by a single research team.
passive: events + be chained + together
Several unfortunate events chained together to ruin the family's business.
Each step in the process is chained to the next, so nothing can be skipped.
The teacher showed how a single decision can chain a whole series of results.
- events chain together
- steps chained to each other
- chain + abstract noun + to
- link
more common in abstract contexts and does not imply a strict sequence, only a connection
- connect
very general; lacks the sequential 'one-after-another' flavour
- concatenate
formal and technical; used in computing and mathematics, rare in everyday language
- disconnect
to break the link between events or steps
Grammar Patterns
events/steps + be chained + together
chain + abstract noun + to + consequence
Usage Note
Almost always used with 'together' or 'to', and commonly in the passive voice. The subject is usually an abstract noun — events, steps, or processes — not physical objects. Distinguish from sense 2, which describes the physical linking of tangible objects.
Common Mistakes
chain — noun
1. a number of connected shops, restaurants, or similar businesses that are owned b
a number of connected shops, restaurants, or similar businesses that are owned by the same company, or a line of connected people or things arranged one after another.
The supermarket chain has more than thirty stores across Taiwan.
chain of [businesses] = group under one owner
A chain of tiny islands runs along the coast of southern Chile.
The company's chain of command goes from the CEO down to each store manager.
chain of command = hierarchy of authority
Volunteers formed a human chain to pass water buckets from the river to the fire.
human chain = people holding hands in a line
Dewi admired the graceful chain of dancers moving across the stage one by one.
- chain of + noun
- hotel chain
- supermarket chain
- fast-food chain
- retail chain
- human chain
- chain of command
Usage Note
Often used with 'of' to name the linked items: a chain of shops, a chain of islands, a chain of people. For businesses, the type of business usually comes before 'chain' — e.g. hotel chain, supermarket chain, fast-food chain.
Common Mistakes
2. a long connected line of mountains that forms a continuous high area of land.
a long connected line of mountains that forms a continuous high area of land.
The Himalayan mountain chain stretches across five different countries.
mountain chain = connected line of mountains
Kwame hiked through a chain of low hills that led up to the main peak.
A chain of volcanic peaks stands along the eastern edge of the island.
The national park protects a beautiful chain of limestone cliffs and hidden caves.
- mountain chain
- chain of mountains
- chain of hills
- chain of peaks
- chain of volcanoes
- mountain range
broader — includes the entire area of peaks, valleys, and ridges rather than just the connected line of peaks
- ridge
more specific — refers only to the top line of a mountain or hill, not the whole chain
Usage Note
Commonly used either as 'mountain chain' or 'chain of mountains'. 'Range' is a more general term that includes the valleys between peaks.
3. a connected series of events in which each happening causes or leads directly to
a connected series of events in which each happening causes or leads directly to the next one.
The power failure set off a chain of events that shut down the whole factory.
chain of events = sequence where each causes the next
A chain reaction in the chemistry lab forced the students to evacuate the building.
chain reaction = each event triggers the next immediately
One small misunderstanding started a long chain of arguments between the two families.
Bones found in the field triggered a chain of archaeological digs across the valley.
A chain of good luck took Noor from a small village to a university abroad.
- chain of events
- chain reaction
- trigger a chain
- set off a chain
- start a chain
- chain of circumstances
Usage Note
Most common in fixed phrases 'chain of events' and 'chain reaction'. The word 'chain' here emphasises that each step is caused by the previous one — not just a random sequence.
Common Mistakes
4. a number of stores, eating places, or lodging businesses that carry the same bra
a number of stores, eating places, or lodging businesses that carry the same brand name and are operated by a single parent company.
The hotel chain plans to open twenty new locations across Southeast Asia.
hotel chain / restaurant chain = group of same-brand outlets
Yan prefers eating at small local cafés rather than big international restaurant chains.
The supermarket chain lowered its prices after a new competitor opened nearby.
Many coffee chains in Taiwan now offer drinks made with local ingredients.
Manuela quit her job at the fast-food chain to start her own small bakery.
- hotel chain
- restaurant chain
- supermarket chain
- fast-food chain
- coffee chain
- retail chain
- pharmacy chain
Usage Note
Used with a noun describing the type of business before 'chain': hotel chain, restaurant chain, supermarket chain, pharmacy chain. 'Chain' in this sense always implies multiple locations under a single brand and ownership.
Common Mistakes
5. lengths of interlocking metal circles linked end to end, employed for locking ga
lengths of interlocking metal circles linked end to end, employed for locking gates, towing vehicles, or worn as ornaments on the body.
The guard wrapped a heavy chain around the gate and locked it with a padlock.
used for fastening / locking
Élise wore a thin gold chain around her neck that her grandmother had given her.
worn as jewellery = necklace
The bicycle chain snapped while Tuan was cycling up a steep hill.
Workers used a steel chain to pull the broken truck out of the ditch.
Aoi tied her dog to a chain in the yard so it could move freely.
- gold chain
- silver chain
- bicycle chain
- steel chain
- heavy chain
- chain-link fence
- length of chain
- chain of office
Usage Note
Countable when referring to a specific length or piece (a chain, two chains). Uncountable when referring to the material or substance (made of chain, a length of chain).
Common Mistakes
❌ 'She wore a gold chain around her neck' is correct but ❌ 'She wore gold chain around her neck' (missing article) — when referring to a specific piece of jewellery, the countable form with an article is needed.
6. metal chains that are fitted over the tyres of a car or truck to give the vehicl
metal chains that are fitted over the tyres of a car or truck to give the vehicle better grip when driving on snow-covered or icy roads.
Before driving up the mountain, Layla fitted snow chains onto the car's tyres.
snow chains / tyre chains = grip for snow
The police stopped all cars without chains at the bottom of the snowy road.
Jason kept a set of chains in his car boot for winter mountain trips.
Without chains on the tyres, the van could not climb the icy mountain pass.
- snow chains
- tyre chains
- tire chains
- fit chains
- put on chains
- set of chains
- chains on tyres
Usage Note
Always used in the plural form. Also called 'tyre chains' (British) or 'tire chains' (American). Often shortened to just 'chains' when the context of snow driving is clear.
Common Mistakes
7. the linked metal rods and markers used on an American football field to check wh
the linked metal rods and markers used on an American football field to check whether a team has moved the ball far enough to keep possession for another set of plays
The referee signalled for the chains to be brought onto the field.
collocation: bring / signal for the chains
Tariro watched the chain crew run across the grass with the two orange poles.
collocation: chain crew
Without a measuring chain on the sideline, the officials could not check the exact spot.
The home crowd booed loudly when the chains showed the quarterback had come up short.
- the chains
- chain crew
- bring out the chains
- measure with the chains
- first-down marker
the specific upright rod that marks the spot; narrower scope
- down marker
used for the indicator stick rather than the chain itself
Grammar Patterns
the chains
chain crew
Usage Note
Almost always plural (the chains). This sense refers to the physical equipment itself, not the measurement unit. The chain crew is the group of officials who handle the poles on the sideline.
Common Mistakes
8. the condition of being fastened or held with metal rings and links, especially t
the condition of being fastened or held with metal rings and links, especially to prevent escape or free movement
The captured soldiers were led through the town square in chains.
pattern: in chains
Minh discovered an old gate held shut by heavy chains and a rusty padlock.
Photographs of protesters in chains appeared on the front page of every newspaper.
The dog was kept in chains behind the shed, barking at anyone who came near.
passive: kept in chains
- in chains
- put/keep in chains
- held in chains
- wrapped in chains
Grammar Patterns
in chains
put/keep in chains
Usage Note
Almost always appears in the plural phrase 'in chains' or 'put/keep someone in chains.' The singular 'in a chain' is not used for this sense — a single chain wrapped around something would be described differently (e.g. 'tied with a chain'). Distinguish from sense 9, which is figurative (restrictions on freedom).
Common Mistakes
9. a rule, situation, or outside force that restricts a person's freedom or limits
a rule, situation, or outside force that restricts a person's freedom or limits what they are able to do
Gabriela finally broke free from the chains of her family's rigid expectations.
pattern: the chains of [noun]
The new regulations placed tight chains on small businesses already struggling to survive.
For years Luca felt trapped by the chains of poverty and limited education.
The nation celebrated when it finally threw off the chains of colonial rule.
metaphorical: throw off the chains
Many artists struggle against the chains of government censorship in their work.
- the chains of
- break/shake off the chains
- chains of poverty/tradition/expectation
- in chains (figurative)
- restrictions
more neutral; lacks the strong emotional tone of 'chains'
- shackles
similar metaphor; slightly more dramatic
- constraints
formal; applies to practical limits, not just freedom
- bonds
poetic or literary; can be emotional or social
Grammar Patterns
the chains of [something]
Usage Note
Almost always plural ('the chains of tradition,' 'the chains of poverty'). This is the figurative/abstract sense — distinguish from sense 8, which refers to actual physical chains. Frequently appears with verbs like 'break,' 'throw off,' 'escape,' 'shake off.'
Common Mistakes
10. a linked series of home purchases in which each buyer must first sell their own
a linked series of home purchases in which each buyer must first sell their own home before they can complete the purchase of the next property
The sale of Amelia's flat collapsed when the chain broke and two buyers pulled out.
collocation: chain breaks / collapses
Estate agents warned them that a long property chain could delay completion by months.
collocation: long / short chain; property chain
Cyrus could not move into his new home because the chain of sellers was incomplete.
The lawyer told them to wait until the whole house chain was secure before packing.
- property chain
- housing chain
- break the chain
- chain collapses
- long chain
- short chain
- property chain
the full term; more formal
- housing chain
common alternative in British English
Grammar Patterns
property chain
chain of buyers/sellers
Usage Note
Primarily British English. In property transactions, 'a chain' refers to the linked sequence of buyers and sellers. A 'broken chain' or 'collapsed chain' means at least one sale fell through, causing the whole sequence to fail. Also called a 'property chain' or 'housing chain.'
Common Mistakes
11. a traditional land-measuring standard of 66 feet (about 20 metres), once commonl
a traditional land-measuring standard of 66 feet (about 20 metres), once commonly used by surveyors to mark property boundaries
The field measured exactly ten chains in length, according to the old survey map.
pattern: [number] chains in length
Mauricio learned that one chain equals twenty-two yards, a standard unit for surveyors.
The property boundary was originally marked out in chains and links back in 1870.
Modern surveyors rarely use a physical chain, but the unit survives on old land titles.
register: historical / technical
- one chain
- measure in chains
- chain and links
- surveyor's chain
- Gunter's chain
formal name for the 66-foot measuring chain invented by Edmund Gunter in the 17th century
Grammar Patterns
[number] chain(s)
Usage Note
A historical unit that survives on older property deeds and in some legal land descriptions. One chain = 66 feet = 22 yards = 100 links. Modern surveyors use laser distance meters, but the term still appears in boundary records in the US, UK, and Australia.
Common Mistakes
a ball and chain
idiomA problem or responsibility that limits your freedom and makes it hard to do what you want.
For Maya, her aging mother's care became a ball and chain.
Is that old debt still a ball and chain around your neck?
a link in the chain
idiomOne part of a series of connected events, actions, or ideas.
Each employee is a vital link in the chain of production.
Losing that document was a weak link in the chain of evidence.
The part of a system or group that is most likely to fail or cause problems.
Brian's poor communication skills were the weak link in the team.
Is the old server the weak link in your network security?