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

Holmes hopes that the welcoming, familiar aesthetic and menu — and Bridgetown Roti’s success — will encourage others to follow suit, setting off a chain reaction of Caribbean cuisine in L.A. —Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2024

Patrick Smith / Getty Images During the homestretch, a chain reaction sent four other runners toppling. —Susan Baek, NBC News, 7 Aug. 2024

Even one person falling off a motorcycle could create a chain reaction and be catastrophic, Cunningham said, leading to injury to oneself and others in surrounding vehicles. —Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 23 July 2024

Something — or a chain reaction of somethings, most of them presumably climate-related — has spread across the surface of the Earth, destabilizing human civilization and making our planet unlivable. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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