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

In the days leading up to Cow Appreciation Day on July 14, the fast food chain is offering customers a chance to win a free medium-sized waffle fry order via a game on the Chick-fil-A app through July 13. — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 7 July 2026

Burger King customers have long loved the fast food chain’s iconic Chicken Sandwich. — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 6 July 2026

Their research will help policymakers in Florida come up with effective plans to rid the ecosystem of the invasive species that is chomping through the local food chain. — Alie Skowronski, Miami Herald, 5 July 2026

Sertraline, being lipid-soluble, accumulates in the marine food chain, eventually reaching apex predators like sharks. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 2 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