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.
The continent is releasing higher levels of mercury into the ocean and marine ecosystem because of climate change, and the toxic metal is accumulating in the region’s wildlife, causing health problems in the food chain. — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 25 Aug. 2026 Douglas is seeking more than $50,000 in damages, alleging the fast food chain failed to safely prepare and serve the meal. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 Spurs have looked down the footballing food chain to sign Fernandes from West Ham United and Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion, and up it to land Manchester City’s Savio and potentially his City team-mate, Omar Marmoush, too. — Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Even terrestrial animals are not immune; plastic can enter the food chain, and has been found in the stomachs of Arctic wildlife; and plastic is only part of the bigger story. — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 22 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 27 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

More from Merriam-Webster on food chain

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for food chain

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about food chain

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