1. A chemical or nuclear reaction in which the products of one reaction trigger further reactions of the same kind, leading to a self-sustaining process
The nuclear fission process is a chain reaction that releases enormous amounts of energy.
O processo de fissão nuclear é uma reação de cadeia que libera enormes quantidades de energia.
2. A figurative sequence of events where each event causes the next, creating a continuing series of consequences
The scandal triggered a chain reaction of resignations in the government.
O escândalo desencadeou uma reação de cadeia de renúncias no governo.