food chain

noun

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

Organisms attached to the reef will attract fish, which will support other wildlife up the food chain. — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026

On Friday, July 17, Taylor Farms — which supplies produce for pre-packaged salads in grocery stores and ingredients for fast food chains — announced a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce sourced to the region by the FDA. — Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026

Some food chains are ready to deal with any barriers to growth because there are so many consumers in the state. — Lily Wright, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026

The brand was recognized as a top 50 fast food chain by QSR Magazine in 2024 and was featured on Franchise Times’ top 400 list. — Rick West, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for food chain

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign

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