kernel

[ kur-nl ]

noun

1. the softer, usually edible part contained in the shell of a nut or the stone of a fruit.
2. the body of a seed within its husk or integuments.
3. a whole seed grain, as of wheat or corn.
4. South Atlantic States. the pit or seed of a peach, cherry, plum, etc.
5. the central or most important part of anything; essence; gist; core:

   His leadership is the kernel of the organization.

6. Mathematics. the set of elements that a given function from one set to a second set maps into the identity of the second set.
7. Also called rumpf. Physical Chemistry. the remainder of an atom after the valence electrons have been removed.

verb (used with object)

, ker·neled, ker·nel·ing or (especially British) ker·nelled, ker·nel·ling.

1. to enclose as a kernel.

kernel

/ ˈkɜːnəl /

noun

1. the edible central part of a seed, nut, or fruit within the shell or stone
2. the grain of a cereal, esp wheat, consisting of the seed in a hard husk
3. the central or essential part of something

verb

1. rare.
   intr to form kernels

kernel

/ kûr′nəl /

1. A grain or seed, as of a cereal grass, enclosed in a husk.
2. The inner, usually edible seed of a nut or fruit stone.

Derived Forms

• ˈkernel-less, adjective

Other Words From

• kernel·less adjective
• kernel·ly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of kernel¹

before 1000; Middle English kirnel, Old English cyrnel, diminutive of corn seed, corn ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of kernel¹

Old English cyrnel a little seed, from corn seed; see corn ¹

Example Sentences

There is no doubt a kernel of truth in much of what people are saying.

From Salon

The bright light from the kitchen and a collection of backlit jars filled with corn kernels — evoking feelings of a science laboratory — also draw your eye.

From Salon

Let's start from the kernel of the idea that led to Blake playing this role.

From Salon

They fill those crinkly carnival bags with buttery kernels and pour lemonade into small Dixie cups.

From Salon

From this kernel, Saariaho and her librettist, Finnish novelist Sofi Oksanen, developed the scenario, which has 13 singing or speaking roles: seven at the school and six at the wedding banquet.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• fruit
• grain
• meat
• morsel
• nut