What does chaine mean?
A chaîné is a fundamental ballet step consisting of a linked series of rapid half-turns, performed on pointe or demi-pointe and usually traveling in a straight line, diagonal, or circle across the stage. The dancer alternates weight between the feet, completing a half rotation with each transfer so that the steps flow together like the links of a chain — which is precisely where the name comes from, since 'chaîné' is the French word meaning 'chained'. Chaînés are among the first traveling turns taught to ballet students, yet they remain a staple of professional choreography, valued for the smooth, continuous momentum they create. Because the term belongs to the French-derived vocabulary of classical dance, it is most often written with its accent (chaîné) in formal contexts and appears almost exclusively in dance instruction, criticism, and performance discussion.
nounIn ballet, a chaîné is a sequence of rapid turns executed on pointe or demi-pointe, typically moving in a straight line or circle, in which the dancer shifts weight between feet while rotating half a turn at a time.
- A ballet movement consisting of a linked series of small, quick half-turns traveling across the floor, performed on pointe or demi-pointe.
"The corps de ballet crossed the stage in a glittering series of chainés."
"She opened her variation with a brisk diagonal of chainés downstage."
"The young dancers practiced their chaîné turns until the line moved as one unbroken ribbon."
Treated as an anglicized French borrowing; the accent is frequently dropped in English texts.
"The finale sent a dozen dancers spinning in synchronized chainés."
Borrowed straight from the French word for 'chain', this ballet step literally chains together half-turns into one continuous spin across the stage.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of chaine
The word enters English directly from French, where 'chaîné' means 'chained', formed from 'chaîne' ('chain'), which itself descends from Latin 'catena'. Like most ballet terminology, it was absorbed into English through the French tradition that shaped classical dance training from the seventeenth century onward. Its Latin root also gives English the words 'chain', 'catena', and 'catenary'.
How chaine is actually used
The term comes from ballet's French vocabulary and retains its acute accent in careful usage (chaîné), though it often appears anglicized as 'chaine' or 'chainé'. It is technical vocabulary used mainly in dance contexts.
Easily confused with chaine
'Chained' is the past tense of the verb 'to chain' (fastened with links), while 'chaîné' is a ballet term for linked turning steps.