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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In recent weeks, DOGE has taken a chain saw to the agency’s operations. Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 24 Mar. 2025 Escalera charged the officer, who fired two shots that missed him, and Escalera collided with the officer and dropped the chain saw, according to authorities. Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025 Shake Shack — The fast-food chain saw shares jump 10.8% in premarket trading after the company posted stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings. Alex Harring, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2025 That night, dad cut off own leg with chain saw in woods, bled out while attempting to crawl back to house. George Saunders, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chain saw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chain%20saw. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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
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