chain reaction
nounUK /tʃeɪn riˈækʃən/
US /tʃeɪn riˈækʃən/
A chain reaction is when one thing happens and it makes many more things happen, one after another.
The falling dominoes started a chain reaction that knocked over every piece.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A series of chemical or nuclear reactions in which each reaction causes the next one to happen.
The scientists explained how a nuclear chain reaction releases energy.
3. A situation in which one event causes a series of similar events to occur quickly.
The new road set off a chain reaction of changes in the town.
4. A self-sustaining process in which the products of one step trigger the next step.
A chain reaction kept the fire spreading through the dry grass.