chain saw

noun

: a portable power saw that has teeth linked together to form an endless chain
chainsaw transitive verb

Examples of chain saw in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web From sharpshooters, the researchers next turned their attention to cicadas, the winged insects that can make mating sounds as loud as a motorcycle or a chain saw. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024 In mid-October, Vale started cutting the branch with a 20-inch chain saw. Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 24 Dec. 2023 Another popular online figure who works outdoors is Adam Perry, a tree trimmer in England, who has racked up 245,000 followers on Instagram by posting videos of himself scaling trees with a chain saw and tying knots with names like double Portuguese bowline and clove hitch. Steven Kurutz, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2023 When homeowners spy dead or dying trees in their yard, the typical reaction is to bring out the heavy artillery: a chain saw followed in short order by a woodchipper and a stump grinder. Monica Cardoza, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2023 More recently, the theater chain saw success with the rollout of The Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, but Aron has cautioned that the theaters will still likely see repercussions from the writers and actors strikes, which disrupted the film release calendar. Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Nov. 2023 The nation's largest retail pharmacy chain saw a dozen of its locations shut down unexpectedly on Sept. 21 and Sept. 22 in protests that spread this week to include nearly two dozen pharmacists across the Kansas City metropolitan area, published reports and advocates say. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2023 According to Colter Burkes, the senior urban forester at Montgomery Parks, a chain saw artist will transform the tree into a sculpture. Samantha Latson, Washington Post, 7 July 2023 Police found Ford face up with a chain saw by his right foot and two knives nearby. Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chain saw.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chain saw was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near chain saw

Cite this Entry

“Chain saw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chain%20saw. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

chain saw

noun
: a portable power saw that has teeth linked together to form a continuous chain

More from Merriam-Webster on chain saw

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