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

Its foundational role in the food chain — supporting plankton, fish, birds and other species — underscores why even microscopic discoveries can ripple across an entire ecosystem. —Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2026

McDonald's The options at beloved fast food chain McDonald's range from breakfast to burgers. —Kate Perez, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026

At the top of the food chain, Otium Suites also feature 270-degree views. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 2026

Microplastics enter the human body through the food chain and may pose health risks. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 15 Apr. 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