Chain vs. Necklace — What's the Difference?

A chain is a serial assembly of connected pieces, called links, typically made of metal, with an overall character similar to that of a rope in that it is flexible and curved in compression but linear, rigid, and load-bearing in tension. A chain may consist of two or more links.

A necklace is an article of jewellery that is worn around the neck. Necklaces may have been one of the earliest types of adornment worn by humans.

A series of linked metal rings used for fastening or securing something, or for pulling loads

An ornamental chain or string of beads, jewels, or links worn round the neck

A sequence of items of the same type forming a line

(in South Africa) a tyre doused or filled with petrol, placed round a victim's neck and set alight.

A jointed measuring line consisting of linked metal rods.

(in South Africa) kill (someone) with a tyre necklace.

A structure of planks projecting horizontally from a sailing ship's sides abreast of the masts, used to widen the basis for the shrouds.

An ornament worn around the neck.

Fasten or secure with a chain

Something felt to resemble this neck ornament, as in shape

A connected, flexible series of links, typically of metal, used especially for holding objects together, for restraining, or for transmitting mechanical power.

An article of jewelry that is worn around the neck, most often made of a string of precious metal, pearls, gems, beads or shells, and sometimes having a pendant attached.

Such a set of links, often of precious metal and with pendants attached, worn as an ornament or symbol of office.

(figuratively) Anything resembling a necklace in shape.

Often chains(Football) Such a set of links measuring ten yards and attached to a pole at each end, moved up and down the field to indicate necessary yardage for gaining a first down.

(South Africa) A device used in necklacing (an informal execution); a rubber tyre that is filled with petrol. It is placed around the victim's chest and arms, and set on fire.

A restraining or confining agent or force.

(South Africa) To informally execute by necklacing; by setting on fire a petrol-filled rubber tyre which has been put around the bound victim's neck.

Bonds, fetters, or shackles.

A string of beads, etc., or any continuous band or chain, worn around the neck as an ornament.

Captivity or oppression; bondage

A rope or chain fitted around the masthead to hold hanging blocks for jibs and stays.

A series of closely linked or connected things

Jewelry consisting of a cord or chain (often bearing gems) worn about the neck as an ornament (especially by women)

A number of establishments, such as stores, theaters, or hotels, under common ownership or management.

A range of mountains.

(Chemistry) A series of chemically bonded atoms, especially carbon atoms, which may be arranged in an open, branched, or cyclic structure.

An instrument used in surveying, consisting of 100 linked pieces of iron or steel and measuring 66 feet (20.1 meters). Also called Gunter's chain.

A similar instrument used in engineering, measuring 100 feet (30.5 meters).

Abbr. ch A unit of measurement equal to the length of either of these instruments.

To bind or make fast with a chain or chains

To restrain or confine as if with chains

A series of interconnected rings or links usually made of metal.

A series of interconnected things.

A series of stores or businesses with the same brand name.

(chemistry) A number of atoms in a series, which combine to form a molecule.

(surveying) A series of interconnected links of known length, used as a measuring device.

(surveying) A long measuring tape.

A unit of length equal to 22 yards. The length of a Gunter's surveying chain. The length of a cricket pitch. Equal to 20.12 metres, 4 rods, or 100 links.

A totally ordered set, especially a totally ordered subset of a poset.

(British) A sequence of linked house purchases, each of which is dependent on the preceding and succeeding purchase (said to be "broken" if a buyer or seller pulls out).

That which confines, fetters, or secures; a bond.

Iron links bolted to the side of a vessel to bold the dead-eyes connected with the shrouds; also, the channels.

A livery collar, a chain of office.

(weaving) The warp threads of a web.

(transitive) To fasten something with a chain.

(figurative) To connect as if with a chain, due to dependence, addiction, or other feelings

(intransitive) To link multiple items together.

(transitive) To secure someone with fetters.

(transitive) To obstruct the mouth of a river etc with a chain.

(figurative) To obligate.

(computing) To relate data items with a chain of pointers.

(computing) To be chained to another data item.

(transitive) To measure a distance using a 66-foot long chain, as in land surveying.

To load and automatically run (a program).

A series of links or rings, usually of metal, connected, or fitted into one another, used for various purposes, as of support, of restraint, of ornament, of the exertion and transmission of mechanical power, etc.

That which confines, fetters, or secures, as a chain; a bond; as, the chains of habit.

A series of things linked together; or a series of things connected and following each other in succession; as, a chain of mountains; a chain of events or ideas.

An instrument which consists of links and is used in measuring land.

Iron links bolted to the side of a vessel to bold the dead-eyes connected with the shrouds; also, the channels.

The warp threads of a web.

To fasten, bind, or connect with a chain; to fasten or bind securely, as with a chain; as, to chain a bulldog.

To keep in slavery; to enslave.

To unite closely and strongly.

To measure with the chain.

To protect by drawing a chain across, as a harbor.

A series of things depending on each other as if linked together;

(chemistry) a series of linked atoms (generally in an organic molecule)

A series of (usually metal) rings or links fitted into one another to make a flexible ligament

A number of similar establishments (stores or restaurants or banks or hotels or theaters) under one ownership

Anything that acts as a restraint

A unit of length

British biochemist (born in Germany) who isolated and purified penicillin, which had been discovered in 1928 by Sir Alexander Fleming (1906-1979)

A series of hills or mountains;

Metal shackles; for hands or legs

A necklace made by a stringing objects together;

Connect or arrange into a chain by linking

Fasten or secure with chains;