chain letter

noun

: a letter sent to several persons with a request that each send copies of the letter to an equal number of persons

Examples of chain letter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
At the center of the story is the Old Man’s (James Broderick) fireworks obsession, but there‘s also a sack race, potato salad, a chain letter for washrags and a bad blind date. Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2024 Think of the video as a string of full-bodied thank yous, or a chain letter in dance, with each performer taking up where the last left off. Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2022 Forms of the chain letter date back to ancient Egypt and the medieval age, while the modern iteration, collected and studied by scholars, surfaced in 1888. Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Dec. 2020 Lady Gaga took to Twitter on Friday (March 8) to start an old-fashioned chain letter to celebrate International Women’s Day. Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 8 Mar. 2019 Suddenly the most cynical of us are responding to internet chain letters and sharing questionable memes. oregonlive, 9 Apr. 2020 Dear Readers: Today’s Sound Off is about chain letters. Heloise, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2019 Or that one family member who still sends you chain letters on Facebook. Justin L. MacK, Indianapolis Star, 17 Dec. 2019 Joanie4Jackie grew and changed with July—there were a few iterations of chain letters, the later ones curated by other feminist filmmakers, as well as events around the country with contributors, and even an internship program. Bridget Read, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chain letter was in 1889

Dictionary Entries Near chain letter

Cite this Entry

“Chain letter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chain%20letter. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

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