# ball and chain

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. A heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner's leg by a chain as a means of restraint.
2. One's spouse, especially a wife, as a symbol of restraint.
3. Anything that restricts one's freedom or opportunities.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/ball-and-chain