chain saw

noun

: a portable power saw that has teeth linked together to form an endless chain
chainsaw transitive verb

Examples of chain saw 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.
Dennis Hopper, beamed in from another planet, plays a police lieutenant with an ax (well, a chain saw) to grind. Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024 So why does all feel right in the world when a masked man is waving a chain saw in my face? Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024 There are now nine films in the Texas Chain Saw Massacre franchise, but not one of them can hold a candle—or a chain saw—to the original. Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 25 Oct. 2024 There also is a tiny chain saw replica on the hostess stand and a Leatherface mask on a shelf above it. Deborah Martin, San Antonio Express-News, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chain saw 

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chain saw was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near chain saw

Cite this Entry

“Chain saw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chain%20saw. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

chain saw

noun
: a portable power saw that has teeth linked together to form a continuous chain

More from Merriam-Webster on chain saw

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!