food chain noun
plural ∼ chains [count] : a series of types of living things in which each one uses the next lower member of the series as a source of food — usually used with the ▪ Sharks eat fish that are lower in the food chain. ▪ animals that are at the top/bottom of the food chain — often used figuratively ▪ directors and producers at the top of the Hollywood food chain [=very powerful and successful directors and producers] ▪ the corporate food chain
