door chain

noun

a short chain with a removable slide fitting that can be attached between the inside of a door and the doorjamb to prevent the door from being opened more than a few inches without the chain being removed.

Origin of door chain

First recorded in 1830–40

Words nearby door chain

doomwatch, doomy, doon, doona, door, door chain, door charge, door check, door furniture, door handle, door jack

Example sentences from the Web for door chain

  • With something like a shudder she let down the door-chain, unbarred the bolts, and opened the door.

    The Golden Butterfly |Walter Besant

  • Natasha puts one end of the door-chain to a little hook in the door.

    The Old House and Other Tales |Feodor Sologub

  • There was but one—the one that had been present when Uncle Mo was adjusting that door-chain.

    When Ghost Meets Ghost |William Frend De Morgan