food chain

noun

Synonyms of food chainnext
1
: an arrangement of the organisms of an ecological community according to the order of predation in which each uses the next usually lower member as a food source
2
: a hierarchy based on power or importance
at the top of the corporate food chain

Examples of food chain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Similar trends are playing out at fast food chains and sit-down restaurants. — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026 Made-to-order burritos and fresh guacamole are headed to North Kansas City next year as a popular Mexican food chain makes plans to open up in a growing area. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026 Wildlife officials had found that many of these poisons worked their way through the food chain, sickening and killing owls, raptors, coyotes and mountain lions. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026 The popular fast food chain made headlines as the first to be named in the investigation. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for food chain

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of food chain was in 1920

Rhymes for food chain

See All Rhymes for food chain

Browse Nearby Words

food canal
food chain
food chopper
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Food chain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/food%20chain. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

food chain

noun
: a series of organisms in which each uses the next usually lower member of the series as a food source
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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