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
The crash led to a chain reaction, causing other vehicles to collide.
—
Julie Sharp, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
Leyes describes today’s threat landscape as a chain reaction.
—Wyles Daniel, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
The incident near the Minakami Interchange triggered a chain reaction, with over 50 other vehicles then colliding, according to the outlets.
—Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 27 Dec. 2025
Noah began building with dominoes in 2022 after watching popular YouTubers construct elaborate, large-scale domino structures and set-ups and knock them down in showstopping chain reactions.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chain reaction
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Julie Sharp, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
Leyes describes today’s threat landscape as a chain reaction.
—Wyles Daniel, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
The incident near the Minakami Interchange triggered a chain reaction, with over 50 other vehicles then colliding, according to the outlets.
—Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 27 Dec. 2025
Noah began building with dominoes in 2022 after watching popular YouTubers construct elaborate, large-scale domino structures and set-ups and knock them down in showstopping chain reactions.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chain reaction
Cite this Entry
“Chain reaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chain%20reaction. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.
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