chain reaction

noun

1

a

: a series of events so related to each other that each one initiates the next

b

: a number of events triggered by the same initial event

2

: a self-sustaining chemical or nuclear reaction yielding energy or products that cause further reactions of the same kind

chain-react

ˈchān-rē-ˈakt 

intransitive verb

Examples of chain reaction in a Sentence

Increased oil prices could trigger a chain reaction in the economy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Black bag, my dear — her work trip sets off a chain reaction in which George’s strength, i.e., faith in their relationship, becomes his weakness. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025

To get the monomers to link together, a lone electron – or free radical – initiates a bond with a monomer, triggering a chain reaction. —Aaron Priester, The Conversation, 19 Feb. 2025

The bioweapon causes a chain reaction, demolishing planets and wiping out an entire quadrant in space. —Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025

Ventura County firefighters were dispatched at 9:30 a.m. and determined the battery of the Volvo XC90 was in a state of thermal runaway, a chemical chain reaction that causes the temperature to rise uncontrollably, said fire engineer Andrew Dowd. —Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for chain reaction

• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction
• detraction
• diffraction
• distraction
• exaction
• extraction
• impaction
• inaction
• infraction

Kids Definition

chain reaction

noun

1

: a series of events so related to each other that each one sets the next one going

2

: a chemical or nuclear reaction producing energy or products that cause further reactions of the same kind

Medical Definition

chain reaction

noun

: a self-sustaining chemical or nuclear reaction yielding energy or products that cause further reactions of the same kind