chain reaction
noun1
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciences Physical A chemical reaction where the products of the reaction influence the reactants of a following reaction, leading to positive feedback.
- polymerase chain reaction
2
A nuclear reaction in which particles produced by the fission of one atom trigger fissions of other atoms.
Nuclear physics
- The Manhattan Project produced the first recorded controlled chain reaction.
3
Figuratively A series of events, each one causing or influencing the next.
- You need the evening action / A place to dine, a glass of wine, a little late romance / It's a chain reaction / You'll see the people of the world coming out to dance1980, George Benson, “Give Me the Night (song)”, in Give Me the Night (album):
- That is, systemic risk is the risk of a chain reaction of falling interconnected dominos.2010, Robert W. Kolb, Lessons from the Financial Crisis, John Wiley & Sons, →ISBN:
- Derived terms
- polymerase chain reaction