chains
chains — noun
1. metal rings joined together in a length that is used to hold, pull, lock, or mov
metal rings joined together in a length that is used to hold, pull, lock, or move something
Roya hung the bicycle chain on a hook beside the garage door.
bicycle chain
Workers lowered the heavy chains to lift the stone into place.
lift with chains
The dog pulled against its chains when the gate swung open.
Brian oiled the chains on the factory machine before the morning shift.
文法句型
a chain of metal links
bicycle chain
lift with chains
用法筆記
Often used for practical objects such as bicycle chains, anchor chains, or lifting chains. Distinguish from sense 4, which focuses on restraint rather than the physical linked object itself.
2. chains fixed around a vehicle's tyres so it can grip the road better in snow
chains fixed around a vehicle's tyres so it can grip the road better in snow
Emily stopped by the roadside to fit chains before the mountain pass.
fit chains before driving in snow
The bus driver carried chains all winter in case the road iced over.
Police turned cars back if they reached the checkpoint without chains.
Ada removed the chains once the highway was clear of snow.
文法句型
fit chains
carry chains
remove chains
用法筆記
Usually used in the plural. In everyday driving talk, people often say chains when the snowy-road context is already clear.
3. a chain worn as jewellery or as an official sign of rank
a chain worn as jewellery or as an official sign of rank
Valentina wore a thin gold chain above the collar of her black dress.
gold chain
The mayor placed the ceremonial chain over his jacket before the parade.
ceremonial chain
Ilan bought silver chains for the dancers in the music video.
A small chain with her grandmother's locket rested against Ada's sweater.
- necklace
a broader word for jewellery around the neck; it does not have to be a linked metal chain
文法句型
gold chain
silver chain
ceremonial chain
用法筆記
Often named by material or role, such as gold chain, silver chain, or ceremonial chain. This sense is about something worn, not a device for fastening or restraint.
4. something that keeps a person or thing under control and limits freedom
something that keeps a person or thing under control and limits freedom
After years in debt, monthly loan payments still felt like chains.
figurative chains
Rachid spoke of old family rules as chains on his younger sister.
The prisoners dragged their chains across the yard at sunrise.
Shame can become chains that keep talented people from speaking up.
- shackles
emphasises devices that hold a person physically
- restraints
a broader word for anything that limits action or freedom
- fetters
more literary and formal than chains
- freedom
the state of being able to act without restraint
文法句型
in chains
feel like chains
break your chains
用法筆記
Can be literal shackles or a figurative burden. Distinguish from sense 1, which names the metal object itself without the idea of restraint.
5. a connected line of events, people, or things in which each part leads to the ne
a connected line of events, people, or things in which each part leads to the next
Samir traced the chain of emails that caused the booking mistake.
chain of emails
One weak link broke the chain of supply from the port to the village.
break the chain
The documentary follows a chain of decisions that led to the fire.
Teachers noticed a chain of absences after the flu spread through town.
文法句型
a chain of events
a chain of emails
break the chain
用法筆記
Usually followed by of plus a plural noun, such as events, messages, or causes. Distinguish from sense 6, which is about businesses run under one system.
6. a group of similar shops, hotels, or other businesses that are owned or managed
a group of similar shops, hotels, or other businesses that are owned or managed together
Christopher manages three bakeries in a fast-growing cafe chain.
cafe chain
The hotel chain opened its first branch in Tainan this spring.
hotel chain
Smaller bookstores struggled after a national retail chain moved into town.
Hyun left the family restaurant to work for an international restaurant chain.
文法句型
hotel chain
restaurant chain
retail chain
用法筆記
Usually follows the kind of business, such as hotel chain or supermarket chain. It can also be used for non-shop organisations with many branches under one management system.
chains — verb
1. to close, guard, or block something by putting a chain across it
to close, guard, or block something by putting a chain across it
Guards chained the museum gate before the final visitors left.
chain + object
City workers chained off the broken bridge after the flood.
chain off + place
Farmers chained the side path to keep motorbikes out of the field.
Staff chained the storage yard before the fireworks arrived.
- open
to allow entry again
文法句型
chain + object
chain off + place
用法筆記
Often used when access is blocked for safety or security. Distinguish from sense 2, which means fastening a person or object to something with a chain.
2. to fasten, tie, or connect someone or something with a chain
to fasten, tie, or connect someone or something with a chain
The crew chained the bikes together outside the stadium overnight.
chain together
Ilan chained the gate to the fence after the latch snapped.
chain + object + to + noun
Protesters chained themselves to the railings in front of the council hall.
Workers chained the gas cylinder to the workshop wall.
- release
to free a person or thing from a chain
文法句型
chain + object + to + noun
chain yourself to + noun
chain together
用法筆記
The object is the person or thing being fixed in place. The pattern chain something to something is especially common for security or protest contexts.