French word

chaînon

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃɛnɔ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounchain link

Example

Ce chaînon est rouillé.

This chain link is rusty.

Illustration for chaînon (chain link)

More examples

Le chaînon du collier s'est détaché.

The link in the necklace came loose.

Core concept

A connecting link positioned between two parts and holding them in sequence.

Common phrases

  • le chaînon du collier

    the link in the necklace

  • le chaînon manquant

    the missing link

  • un chaînon rouillé

    a rusty chain link

Similar words

maillon: A single chain link that joins to adjacent links.
chaîne: A complete chain made of many connected links.
anneau: A circular metal ring used for decoration or fastening.

Definition in French

Anneau individuel d'une chaîne reliant deux maillons ; sens figuré : un élément intermédiaire qui connecte des étapes ou des parties.

Word origin

Chaînon is a derivative of chaîne, a word inherited from Latin catena, with the meaning developing from a physical link to an intermediate element.

Usage tips

  • The final -on in chaînon is pronounced as a nasal vowel, so the ending does not sound like an English syllable with a pronounced n.

Other meanings

  • linknoun

Related words

Word lists with this word