Chain vs. Yoke — 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 yoke is a wooden beam normally used between a pair of oxen or other animals to enable them to pull together on a load when working in pairs, as oxen usually do; some yokes are fitted to individual animals. There are several types of yoke, used in different cultures, and for different types of oxen.

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

A wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plough or cart that they are to pull.

A sequence of items of the same type forming a line

A part of a garment that fits over the shoulders and to which the main part of the garment is attached

A jointed measuring line consisting of linked metal rods.

A frame fitting over the neck and shoulders of a person, used for carrying pails or baskets.

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

The crossbar of a rudder.

Fasten or secure with a chain

A control lever in an aircraft.

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

A thing whose name one cannot recall, does not know, or does not wish to specify

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

Put a yoke on (a pair of animals); couple or attach with or to a yoke

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.

Attack, especially by strangling

A restraining or confining agent or force.

A contoured crossbar having two U-shaped attachments that fit around the necks of a team of oxen or other draft animals, with a central ring for hitching the team to a cart, plow, or other load.

Bonds, fetters, or shackles.

Pl. yoke or yokes A pair of draft animals, such as oxen, joined by a yoke.

Captivity or oppression; bondage

A bar used with a double harness to connect the collar of each horse to the pole of a wagon or coach.

A series of closely linked or connected things

A frame designed to be carried across a person's shoulders with equal loads suspended from each end.

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

(Nautical) A crossbar on a ship's rudder to which the steering cables are connected.

A range of mountains.

A clamp or vise that holds a machine part in place or controls its movement or that holds two such parts together.

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

A piece of a garment that is closely fitted, either around the neck and shoulders or at the hips, and from which an unfitted or gathered part of the garment is hung.

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.

Something that connects or joins together; a bond or tie.

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

(Electronics) A series of two or more magnetic recording heads fastened securely together for playing or recording on more than one track simultaneously.

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

Any of various emblems of subjugation, such as a structure made of two upright spears with a third laid across them, under which conquered enemies of ancient Rome were forced to march in subjection.

To bind or make fast with a chain or chains

The condition of being subjugated by or as if by a conqueror; subjugation or bondage

To restrain or confine as if with chains

To fit or join with a yoke.

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

To harness a draft animal to.

A series of interconnected things.

To harness (a draft animal) to a vehicle or an implement.

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

To join together; bind

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

To force into heavy labor, bondage, or subjugation.

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

To become joined.

(surveying) A long measuring tape.

Senses relating to a frame around the neck.

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 bar or frame by which two oxen or other draught animals are joined at their necks enabling them to pull a cart, plough, etc.; (by extension) a device attached to a single draught animal for the same purpose.

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

Any of various linking or supporting objects that resembles a yoke (sense 1.1); a crosspiece, a curved bar, etc.

(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).

(historical)

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

Senses relating to a pair of harnessed draught animals.

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

A pair of draught animals, especially oxen, yoked together to pull something.

A livery collar, a chain of office.

(archaic) A pair of things linked in some way.

(weaving) The warp threads of a web.

A carriage, a horse and cart; a car or other vehicle.

(transitive) To fasten something with a chain.

A miscellaneous object; a gadget.

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

A chap, a fellow.

(intransitive) To link multiple items together.

A pill of a psychoactive drug.

(transitive) To secure someone with fetters.

Senses relating to quantities, and other extended uses.

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

An area of arable land, specifically one consisting of a quarter of a suling, or around 50–60 acres (20–24 hectares); hence, a small manor or piece of land.

(figurative) To obligate.

An amount of work done with draught animals, lasting about half a day; (by extension) an amount or shift of any work.

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

(figuratively)

(computing) To be chained to another data item.

Misspelling of yolk

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

(transitive)

To load and automatically run (a program).

To join (several draught animals) together with a yoke; also, to fasten a yoke (on one or more draught animals) to pull a cart, plough, etc.; or to attach (a cart, plough, etc.) to a draught animal.

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.

To put (one's arm or arms) around someone's neck, waist, etc.; also, to surround (someone's neck, waist, etc.) with one's arms.

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

To put (something) around someone's neck like a yoke; also, to surround (someone's neck) with something.

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.

(historical)

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

(figuratively)

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

To be joined to (another person) in wedlock (often with the implication that it is a burdensome state); to be or become married to (someone).

The warp threads of a web.

(intransitive)

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

To be or become connected, linked, or united in a relationship; to have dealings with.

To keep in slavery; to enslave.

To be or become joined in wedlock; to be married, to wed.

To unite closely and strongly.

A bar or frame of wood by which two oxen are joined at the heads or necks for working together.

To measure with the chain.

A frame or piece resembling a yoke, as in use or shape.

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

Fig.: That which connects or binds; a chain; a link; a bond connection.

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

A mark of servitude; hence, servitude; slavery; bondage; service.

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

Two animals yoked together; a couple; a pair that work together.

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

The quantity of land plowed in a day by a yoke of oxen.

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

A portion of the working day; as, to work two yokes, that is, to work both portions of the day, or morning and afternoon.

Anything that acts as a restraint

A clamp or similar piece that embraces two other parts to hold or unite them in their respective or relative positions, as a strap connecting a slide valve to the valve stem, or the soft iron block or bar permanently connecting the pole pieces of an electromagnet, as in a dynamo.

A unit of length

To put a yoke on; to join in or with a yoke; as, to yoke oxen, or pair of oxen.

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

To couple; to join with another.

A series of hills or mountains;

To enslave; to bring into bondage; to restrain; to confine.

Metal shackles; for hands or legs

To be joined or associated; to be intimately connected; to consort closely; to mate.

A necklace made by a stringing objects together;

Fabric comprising a fitted part at the top of a garment

Connect or arrange into a chain by linking

An oppresssive power;

Fasten or secure with chains;

Two items of the same kind

A pair of draft animals joined by a yoke;

Support consisting of a wooden frame across the shoulders that enables a person to carry buckets hanging from each end

A connection (like a clamp or vise) between two things so they move together

Stable gear that joins two draft animals at the neck so they can work together as a team

Become joined or linked together

Link with or as with a yoke;

Put a yoke on or join with a yoke;