seed corn

noun

1. ears or kernels of corn set apart as seed.

seed corn

noun

1. the good quality ears or kernels of corn that are used as seed
2. assets or investments that are expected to provide profits in the future

Word History and Origins

Origin of seed corn¹

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

I don’t want us to lose the seed corn that was so successful on my behalf.

From Time

Are we still investing that way, or have we eaten the seed corn?

From The Daily Beast

My childhood jobs were detassling seed corn and working at a lumberyard.

From The Daily Beast

They were all fashioned and painted as correct models, and were provided with their national songs and with seed-corn.

From Project Gutenberg

If you will help me, I'll give you a peck of that Golden Bantam seed corn you like so much the next time you are in town.'

From Project Gutenberg

Much of the corn is already too hard for the table, and some of the ears can be selected which are ripe enough for seed corn.

From Project Gutenberg

Now they needed staple provisions, a few farming tools, a breaking-plough, and some seed corn.

From Project Gutenberg

One peck of gourd-seed corn is to be measured out to each slave once every week.

From Project Gutenberg