chain letter

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

chain′ let′ter, 

1. a letter sent to a number of people, each of whom is asked to make and mail copies to other people who are to do likewise, often used as a means of spreading a message or raising money.

• 1905–10

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

chain letter noun

1. a letter, often with a request for and promise of money, that is sent to many people who add to or recopy it and send it on to others: illegal in many countries