cornmeal

American  

[kawrn-meel] / ˈkɔrnˌmil /

noun

1. Also called Indian meal.  coarsely ground, unsifted white or yellow corn used in various boiled, fried, or baked dishes.

2. (in Scotland) oatmeal.

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Etymology

Origin of cornmeal

First recorded in 1740–50; corn ¹ + meal ²

Compare meaning

How does cornmeal compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cornmeal vs. corn flour
• cornmeal vs. cornstarch

Explanation

Cornmeal is a coarse kind of flour made from dried kernels of maize. You can sprinkle cornmeal on a pizza pan to keep the crust from sticking, or cook it with water to make polenta. Grind corn into meal and you get cornmeal, a versatile ingredient that's used in staple foods all over the world. In the U.S., particularly the South, cornmeal is used for grits, fritters, hushpuppies, and cornbread. Mexican cuisines add lime and make masa, the base of tortillas and tamales. Corn congee is a common dish made from cornmeal in several East Asian countries, and in Barbados, cornmeal-based cou-cou is part of the national dish.

Example Sentences

Once sliced, the tomatoes are dipped in flour, then in eggs and, finally, in coarse cornmeal before they are fried to golden-brown perfection.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

Soft, tender and just dense enough to hold its shape, these savory muffins are built on a base of flour, cornmeal, butter, oil and buttermilk — a formula so flexible it practically begs for riffing.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2025

It’s a succulent mix of cornmeal, meat, olives, raisins and other delectables cooked and wrapped in banana leaves, a kind of Venezuelan tamale.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 13, 2025

With nothing left in her garden, Musole took the deal, which also entitles her to 11 pounds of cornmeal, a staple of local diets, every month.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025

The cornmeal had a gritty crunch; the ham was smooth and salty against the sweet syrup.

From "Pax" by Sara Pennypacker