food chains

plural of food chain
as in hierarchies
a series of types of living things in which each one uses the next lower member of the series as a source of food Sharks eat fish that are lower in the food chain. animals that are at the top of the food chain

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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.
Recent Examples of food chains After Apple announced the new iPhone, companies from fast food chains to other technology giants were quick to weigh in. Melina Khan, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026 Similar trends are playing out at fast food chains and sit-down restaurants. Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 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 High Street leaned heavily collegiate, lined with pizza parlors, student bars, and familiar franchised food chains. Rafael Pena, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2026 Italy’s already squeezed farmers are under strain by large supermarket and food chains. Matteo Moschella, NBC news, 4 June 2026 Here are the latest specials and deals announced by fast food chains in news releases, social media posts, or on their websites. Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 3 June 2026 Which fast food chains use beef tallow today Beef tallow never disappeared entirely, and a handful of chains have either kept it or brought it back. Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 18 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for food chains
Noun
  • Lake said the contrasts between the quiet and extravagant designs are important and represent someone’s journey through society’s hierarchies.
    Footwear News, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Depending on the club, the hierarchies are still clear, and there might be little overlap between those positions.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Sadiq, with his versatility, is the key that unlocks those groupings.
    Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Many of these countries were British colonies, some of which were also once part of British West Africa or British East Africa administrative groupings.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The ‘brass ceiling’ Historically, women, Black service members and service members of color have faced discrimination and violence within the ranks.
    Jeremiah Favara, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Some people love the NFL, and others prefer college football over the professional ranks.
    OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Food chains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/food%20chains. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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