timing chain

noun

plural timing chains

: a chain that connects the camshaft and the crankshaft in a vehicle engine (such as in an automobile) and coordinates the opening and closing of the engine's valves

Much older vehicles will have a timing chain instead of a timing belt … . Timing chains have a much longer lifespan and generally do not need to be replaced.

—Melissa Thompson

… a timing chain is that part of a vehicle's internal combustion engine that drives the cams and operates the valves that feed fuel into the combustion chambers and extracts spent gases from them.

—Joey Bernardez

compare timing belt

Examples of timing chain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Elliott’s example is from the late stages of production and features a timing chain instead of the less-reliable timing belt found in earlier cars. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 2 May 2024

The timing chain begins with the OCXO oscillator and its 10-megahertz signal and ends with the display being updated once every second. —IEEE Spectrum, 23 Jan. 2024

This choice replaces the conventional engine valve train—valves, seats, guides, seals, springs, rockers, camshaft, bearings, timing chain, and oil lubrication—with a simple set of holes in the cylinder wall. —IEEE Spectrum, 18 Feb. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above