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
Examples of chain reaction in a Sentence
Increased oil prices could trigger a chain reaction in the economy.
Recent Examples on the Web
His car slowed down, causing a chain reaction behind him that eventually led to a crash which knocked several cars out of the race.
—
Kevin Dotson, CNN, 16 Feb. 2025
Because of what happened with Bob, there's a chain reaction of events.
—Dave Quinn, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
That was the moment this tiny puppy's life changed forever, setting off a chain reaction of events that ultimately came to the attention of CUDDLY, a fundraising and wish list platform sending aid and supplies to nonprofit animal rescues and dogs like Manzanita.
—Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Salk Institute Investigating the mechanisms involved in periods of fasting, when the stomach and brain communicate to promote the secretion of a growth hormone directed at muscle cells, the researchers discovered that this chain reaction reduced BCL6 levels.
—New Atlas, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for chain reaction 
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Kevin Dotson, CNN, 16 Feb. 2025
Because of what happened with Bob, there's a chain reaction of events.
—Dave Quinn, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
That was the moment this tiny puppy's life changed forever, setting off a chain reaction of events that ultimately came to the attention of CUDDLY, a fundraising and wish list platform sending aid and supplies to nonprofit animal rescues and dogs like Manzanita.
—Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Salk Institute Investigating the mechanisms involved in periods of fasting, when the stomach and brain communicate to promote the secretion of a growth hormone directed at muscle cells, the researchers discovered that this chain reaction reduced BCL6 levels.
—New Atlas, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for chain reaction
Dictionary Entries Near chain reaction
Cite this Entry
“Chain reaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chain%20reaction. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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