Chain vs. Link — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 6, 2024
A chain is a series of connected links, often used for fastening or support, emphasizing its collective function, while a link is a single unit within a chain, highlighting its role as a connecting element.
Difference Between Chain and Link
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A chain is an assembly of interconnected links, forming a flexible line that can be used for a multitude of purposes, including securing objects, transferring mechanical power, or as a decorative element. It emphasizes the strength and utility derived from the unity of its components. A link, on the other hand, is an individual component of a chain, usually made of metal, and designed to connect with other links to form a chain. It highlights the concept of connectivity and interdependence, with each link being essential for the integrity and function of the whole chain.
Chains are characterized by their overall length, strength, and type, which are determined by the size, shape, and material of the individual links that compose them. This collective attribute makes chains versatile and widely used in both practical and symbolic contexts. Links, by their nature, represent the idea of connection and unity, serving not only as physical connectors but also as metaphors for relationships and processes in various fields such as technology, social science, and biology.
In practical applications, the effectiveness of a chain is often as strong as its weakest link, underscoring the importance of each link’s quality and the interconnectedness of the system. The design of a link can vary, affecting the overall properties of the chain, such as flexibility, durability, and load-bearing capacity. This individual significance within a collective system underlines the dual nature of links as both independent units and integral parts of a larger whole.
The concept of a chain extends beyond its physical representation, being used metaphorically to describe series of events, processes, or causal relationships, where each "link" or component is connected and contributes to the outcome. Similarly, a link can metaphorically represent an individual or element that connects, unites, or bridges gaps within a network, emphasizing its role in contributing to the cohesion and functionality of a system.
Despite their interdependent definitions, the distinction between a chain and a link lies in their scope and focus: a chain as a cohesive assembly with a collective purpose, and a link as an essential component that enables the assembly's connectivity and function. This difference illustrates the balance between individuality and unity within systems, both physical and conceptual.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A series of interconnected links forming a flexible line.
An individual component of a chain that connects with other links.
Emphasis
Collective function and utility.
Role as a connecting element.
Characteristics
Determined by the links' size, shape, and material.
Focuses on design and material for connectivity.
Application
Used for fastening, support, mechanical power, and decoration.
Essential for the chain's integrity and function.
Symbolism
Represents strength, unity, and versatility.
Symbolizes connection, unity, and interdependence.
Compare with Definitions
Chain
A series of connected links for various purposes.
He used a strong chain to secure the gate.
Link
A single unit within a chain that connects.
The jeweler repaired the broken link in the necklace.
Chain
Versatile in application.
Chains are used in bicycles to transfer power from pedals to wheels.
Link
Represents individual elements in a network.
The new software improved the link between the database and the application.
Chain
Depends on the integrity of individual links.
The chain can only be as strong as its weakest link.
Link
Varied in design for different purposes.
The links in the anchor chain were designed to be especially robust.
Chain
Symbolizes strength and unity.
The chain around her neck was a symbol of their unbreakable bond.
Link
Symbolizes connectivity and support.
She was a vital link in their community support network.
Chain
Represents a series of events in metaphors.
A chain of events led to the unexpected outcome.
Link
Essential for a chain's functionality.
Every link in the chain was inspected for flaws.
Chain
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.
Link
One of the rings or loops forming a chain.
Chain
A series of linked metal rings used for fastening or securing something, or for pulling loads
The drug dealer is being kept in chains
He slid the bolts on the front door and put the safety chain across
Link
A unit in a connected series of units
Links of sausage.
One link in a molecular chain.
Chain
A sequence of items of the same type forming a line
He kept the chain of buckets supplied with water
Link
A unit in a transportation or communications system.
Chain
A jointed measuring line consisting of linked metal rods.
Link
A connecting element; a tie or bond
Grandparents, our link with the past.
Chain
Fasten or secure with a chain
She chained her bicycle to the railings
Link
An association; a relationship
The Alumnae Association is my link to the school's present administration.
Chain
A connected, flexible series of links, typically of metal, used especially for holding objects together, for restraining, or for transmitting mechanical power.
Link
A causal, parallel, or reciprocal relationship; a correlation
Researchers have detected a link between smoking and heart disease.
Chain
Such a set of links, often of precious metal and with pendants attached, worn as an ornament or symbol of office.
Link
A cufflink.
Chain
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.
Link
A unit of length used in surveying, equal to 0.01 chain, 7.92 inches, or about 20.12 centimeters.
Chain
A restraining or confining agent or force.
Link
A rod or lever transmitting motion in a machine.
Chain
Bonds, fetters, or shackles.
Link
(Computers)A graphical item or segment of text in a webpage or other electronic document that, when clicked, causes another webpage or section of the same webpage to be displayed
That newspaper's homepage includes links to numerous government resources. Also called hotlink, hyperlink.
Chain
Captivity or oppression; bondage
Threw off the chains of slavery.
Link
A torch formerly used for lighting one's way in the streets.
Chain
A series of closely linked or connected things
A chain of coincidences.
Link
To put together physically, as with links
Linked the rings to form a chain.
Chain
A number of establishments, such as stores, theaters, or hotels, under common ownership or management.
Link
To connect, relate, or associate
Linked the suspect to the crime.
Chain
A range of mountains.
Link
To make or have a link to (another webpage or electronic document)
The blog links important news stories from across the web.
Chain
(Chemistry) A series of chemically bonded atoms, especially carbon atoms, which may be arranged in an open, branched, or cyclic structure.
Link
To make a link in (a webpage or electronic document)
The teacher linked the class website to an online map.
Chain
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.
Link
To be or become joined together physically
The molecules linked to form a polymer.
Chain
A similar instrument used in engineering, measuring 100 feet (30.5 meters).
Link
To be or become connected, related, or associated
Their business has linked up with ours.
Chain
Abbr. ch A unit of measurement equal to the length of either of these instruments.
Link
To make or have a link to a webpage or electronic document
The shocking news story was linked to by many blogs. The article linked to photos of the damage.
Chain
To bind or make fast with a chain or chains
Chained the dog to a tree.
Link
To follow a link in a webpage or electronic document
With a click of the mouse, I linked to the museum's website.
Chain
To restrain or confine as if with chains
Workers who were chained to a life of dull routine.
Link
A connection between places, people, events, things, or ideas.
The mayor’s assistant serves as the link to the media.
Chain
A series of interconnected rings or links usually made of metal.
He wore a gold chain around the neck.
The anchor is connected to the boat with a 100-metre long chain.
Link
One element of a chain or other connected series.
The third link of the silver chain needs to be resoldered.
The weakest link.
Chain
A series of interconnected things.
A chain of mountains
A chain of ideas, one leading to the next
This led to an unfortunate chain of events.
Link
Abbreviation of hyperlink
The link on the page points to the sports scores.
Chain
A series of stores or businesses with the same brand name.
That chain of restaurants is expanding into our town.
Link
(computing) The connection between buses or systems.
A by-N-link is composed of N lanes.
Chain
(chemistry) A number of atoms in a series, which combine to form a molecule.
When examined, the molecular chain included oxygen and hydrogen.
Link
(mathematics) A space comprising one or more disjoint knots.
Chain
(surveying) A series of interconnected links of known length, used as a measuring device.
Link
(figurative) an individual person or element in a system
Chain
(surveying) A long measuring tape.
Link
Anything doubled and closed like a link of a chain.
Chain
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.
Link
A sausage that is not a patty.
Chain
A totally ordered set, especially a totally ordered subset of a poset.
Link
(kinematics) Any one of the several elementary pieces of a mechanism, such as the fixed frame, or a rod, wheel, mass of confined liquid, etc., by which relative motion of other parts is produced and constrained.
Chain
(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).
Link
(engineering) Any intermediate rod or piece for transmitting force or motion, especially a short connecting rod with a bearing at each end; specifically (in steam engines) the slotted bar, or connecting piece, to the opposite ends of which the eccentric rods are jointed, and by means of which the movement of the valve is varied, in a link motion.
Chain
That which confines, fetters, or secures; a bond.
The chains of habit
Link
(surveying) The length of one joint of Gunter's chain, being the hundredth part of it, or 7.92 inches, the chain being 66 feet in length.
Chain
Iron links bolted to the side of a vessel to bold the dead-eyes connected with the shrouds; also, the channels.
Link
(chemistry) A bond of affinity, or a unit of valence between atoms; applied to a unit of chemical force or attraction.
Chain
A livery collar, a chain of office.
Link
(in the plural) The windings of a river; the land along a winding stream.
Chain
(weaving) The warp threads of a web.
Link
(broadcasting) An introductory cue.
Chain
(transitive) To fasten something with a chain.
You should chain your bicycle to the railings to protect it from being stolen.
Link
(obsolete) A torch, used to light dark streets.
Chain
(figurative) To connect as if with a chain, due to dependence, addiction, or other feelings
Sometimes I feel like I'm chained to this computer.
She's been chained to her principles since she was 18, it's unlikely you can convince her otherwise.
Link
(transitive) To connect two or more things.
Chain
(intransitive) To link multiple items together.
Link
To contain a hyperlink to another page.
My homepage links to my wife's.
Chain
(transitive) To secure someone with fetters.
Link
To supply (somebody) with a hyperlink; to direct by means of a link.
Haven't you seen his Web site? I'll link you to it.
Chain
(transitive) To obstruct the mouth of a river etc with a chain.
Link
To post a hyperlink to.
Stop linking those unfunny comics all the time!
Chain
(figurative) To obligate.
Link
(transitive) To demonstrate a correlation between two things.
Chain
(computing) To relate data items with a chain of pointers.
Link
(compilation) To combine objects generated by a compiler into a single executable.
Chain
(computing) To be chained to another data item.
Link
To meet with someone.
Chain
(transitive) To measure a distance using a 66-foot long chain, as in land surveying.
Link
To skip or trip along smartly; to go quickly.
Chain
To load and automatically run (a program).
Link
A torch made of tow and pitch, or the like.
Chain
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.
[They] put a chain of gold about his neck.
Link
A single ring or division of a chain.
Chain
That which confines, fetters, or secures, as a chain; a bond; as, the chains of habit.
Driven downTo chains of darkness and the undying worm.
Link
Hence: Anything, whether material or not, which binds together, or connects, separate things; a part of a connected series; a tie; a bond.
The link of brotherhood, by whichOne common Maker bound me to the kind.
And so by double links enchained themselves in lover's life.
Chain
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.
Link
Anything doubled and closed like a link; as, a link of horsehair.
Chain
An instrument which consists of links and is used in measuring land.
Link
Any one of the several elementary pieces of a mechanism, as the fixed frame, or a rod, wheel, mass of confined liquid, etc., by which relative motion of other parts is produced and constrained.
Chain
Iron links bolted to the side of a vessel to bold the dead-eyes connected with the shrouds; also, the channels.
Link
Any intermediate rod or piece for transmitting force or motion, especially a short connecting rod with a bearing at each end; specifically (Steam Engine), the slotted bar, or connecting piece, to the opposite ends of which the eccentric rods are jointed, and by means of which the movement of the valve is varied, in a link motion.
Chain
The warp threads of a web.
Link
A bond of affinity, or a unit of valence between atoms; - applied to a unit of chemical force or attraction.
Chain
To fasten, bind, or connect with a chain; to fasten or bind securely, as with a chain; as, to chain a bulldog.
Chained behind the hostile car.
Link
Sausages; - because linked together.
Chain
To keep in slavery; to enslave.
And which more blest? who chained his country, sayOr he whose virtue sighed to lose a day?
Link
A hill or ridge, as a sand hill, or a wooded or turfy bank between cultivated fields, etc.
Chain
To unite closely and strongly.
And in this vow do chain my soul to thine.
Link
A winding of a river; also, the ground along such a winding; a meander; - usually in pl.
The windings or "links" of the Forth above and below Stirling are extremely tortuous.
Chain
To measure with the chain.
Link
Sand hills with the surrounding level or undulating land, such as occur along the seashore, a river bank, etc.
Golf may be played on any park or common, but its original home is the "links" or common land which is found by the seashore, where the short close tuft, the sandy subsoil, and the many natural obstacles in the shape of bents, whins, sand holes, and banks, supply the conditions which are essential to the proper pursuit of the game.
Chain
To protect by drawing a chain across, as a harbor.
Link
Hence, any such piece of ground where golf is played; a golf course.
Chain
A series of things depending on each other as if linked together;
The chain of command
A complicated concatenation of circumstances
Link
To connect or unite with a link or as with a link; to join; to attach; to unite; to couple.
All the tribes and nations that composed it [the Roman Empire] were linked together, not only by the same laws and the same government, but by all the facilities of commodious intercourse, and of frequent communication.
Chain
(chemistry) a series of linked atoms (generally in an organic molecule)
Link
To be connected.
No one generation could link with the other.
Chain
A series of (usually metal) rings or links fitted into one another to make a flexible ligament
Link
The means of connection between things linked in series
Chain
A number of similar establishments (stores or restaurants or banks or hotels or theaters) under one ownership
Link
A fastener that serves to join or link;
The walls are held together with metal links placed in the wet mortar during construction
Chain
Anything that acts as a restraint
Link
The state of being connected;
The connection between church and state is inescapable
Chain
A unit of length
Link
A connecting shape
Chain
British biochemist (born in Germany) who isolated and purified penicillin, which had been discovered in 1928 by Sir Alexander Fleming (1906-1979)
Link
A unit of length equal to 1/100 of a chain
Chain
A series of hills or mountains;
The valley was between two ranges of hills
The plains lay just beyond the mountain range
Link
(computing) an instruction that connects one part of a program or an element on a list to another program or list
Chain
Metal shackles; for hands or legs
Link
A channel for communication between groups;
He provided a liaison with the guerrillas
Chain
A necklace made by a stringing objects together;
A string of beads
A strand of pearls
Link
A two-way radio communication system (usually microwave); part of a more extensive telecommunication network
Chain
Connect or arrange into a chain by linking
Link
An interconnecting circuit between two or more locations for the purpose of transmitting and receiving data
Chain
Fasten or secure with chains;
Chain the chairs together
Link
Make a logical or causal connection;
I cannot connect these two pieces of evidence in my mind
Colligate these facts
I cannot relate these events at all
Link
Connect, fasten, or put together two or more pieces;
Can you connect the two loudspeakers?
Tie the ropes together
Link arms
Link
Be or become joined or united or linked;
The two streets connect to become a highway
Our paths joined
The travelers linked up again at the airport
Link
Link with or as with a yoke;
Yoke the oxen together
Common Curiosities
How do chains and links differ?
Chains refer to the entire assembly of interconnected links, focusing on collective utility, while links are individual units that emphasize the role of connection and interdependence.
Can a link function independently of a chain?
While a link is designed to be part of a chain, it can also function independently in various applications, symbolizing connectivity or serving as a standalone connector.
Why is the strength of a chain often compared to its weakest link?
This comparison underscores the principle that the integrity and strength of a chain are contingent on the quality and strength of each individual link.
What does a link symbolize in non-physical contexts?
In metaphorical terms, a link represents an individual or an element that connects, unites, or bridges components within a system or network.
What is a chain?
A chain is a flexible line made up of interconnected links, used for various purposes like fastening or support.
What is a link?
A link is an individual component of a chain, designed to connect with other links, enabling the chain's function.
How are chains and links used metaphorically in language?
Metaphorically, chains can describe sequences or series of connected events or concepts, while links can refer to connections or integral parts within a network or process, emphasizing their roles in connectivity and progression.
What are some common uses of chains?
Chains are used in numerous applications, including as mechanisms for transmitting mechanical power, as jewelry, for securing objects, and in industrial lifting and anchoring systems.
How does the design of a link affect a chain?
The design, material, and size of a link directly influence the chain’s flexibility, durability, and overall capacity to bear load or resist stress.
What makes a chain versatile in its applications?
The versatility of a chain comes from the combination of strength, flexibility, and the ability to be tailored through different link designs and materials for specific purposes.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
