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1. A series of things depending on each other as if linked together
   "the chain of command";
   - concatenation
    
2. (chemistry) a series of linked atoms (generally in an organic molecule)
   - chemical chain
    
3. A series of (usually metal) rings or links fitted into one another to make a flexible ligament
    
4. (business) a number of similar establishments (stores, restaurants, banks, hotels or theatres) under one ownership
    
5. Anything that acts as a restraint
    
6. A unit of length
    
7. A series of hills or mountains
   "the valley was between two chains of hills";
   - range, mountain range, range of mountains, mountain chain, chain of mountains
    
8. A linked or connected series of objects
   "a chain of daisies"
    
9. A necklace made by stringing objects together
   "a chain of beads";
   - string, strand

1. Connect or arrange into a chain by linking
    
2. Fasten or secure with chains
   "Chain the chairs together"

1. British biochemist (born in Germany) who isolated and purified penicillin, which had been discovered in 1928 by Sir Alexander Fleming (1906-1979)
   - Ernst Boris Chain, Sir Ernst Boris Chain

Derived forms: chained, chaining, chains

Type of: arrange, biochemist, building block, business, business concern, business organisation [Brit], business organization, concern, constraint, fasten, fix, formation, geological formation, ligament, linear measure, linear unit, necklace, restraint, secure, series, set up, unit

Antonym: unchain

Part of: bicycle, bike, chain printer, chain tongs, cycle, molecule

Encyclopedia: Chain, Planetary