food chain

noun

Definition of food chainnext
as in hierarchy
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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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for food chain
  1. hierarchy
  2. grouping
Noun
  • The lanky 26-year-old ascended the Astros’ pitching hierarchy as a starting pitcher but has blossomed into a swingman in Houston’s bullpen during his first full major-league season.
    — The Athletic MLB Staff, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • And there shouldn’t be such an obvious and geographically rigged hierarchy.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of hierarchy
Noun
  • In November 2017 India, Australia, Japan, and the United States revived the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or the Quad, an informal strategic grouping widely viewed as a response to China’s expanding footprint in the Indo-Pacific region.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026
  • The most successful arrangements typically share a common thread, whether that’s a similar material, finish, color palette, or overall mood, while still incorporating enough variation to keep the grouping feeling relaxed and layered.
    — Colleen Sullivan, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 July 2026
Definition of grouping
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.

Browse Nearby Words

food
food chain
food chains
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Cite this Entry

“Food chain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/food%20chain. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on food chain

Nglish: Translation of food chain for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about food chain

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