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
Those fiery remarks set off a chain reaction of events and coverage.
—
Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 11 May 2024
This happens thanks to the often hard-to-detect magnetic loops spreading across the sun’s corona, which can create explosive chain reactions in the process.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for chain reaction 
Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 11 May 2024
This happens thanks to the often hard-to-detect magnetic loops spreading across the sun’s corona, which can create explosive chain reactions in the process.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for chain reaction
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chain reaction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Chain reaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chain%20reaction. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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