sweet corn

noun

1. any of several varieties of corn, especially Zea mays rugosa, the grain or kernels of which are sweet and suitable for eating.
2. Chiefly Northern, North Midland, and Western U.S. the young and tender ears of corn, especially when used as a table vegetable.

sweet corn

noun

1. Also calledsugar corngreen corn a variety of maize, Zea mays saccharata, whose kernels are rich in sugar and eaten as a vegetable when young
2. the unripe ears of maize, esp the sweet kernels removed from the cob, cooked as a vegetable

Word History and Origins

Origin of sweet corn¹

An Americanism dating back to 1640–50

Example Sentences

Head for the Great Escape, which has managed to hold its own for nearly four decades with house-made hard ice cream, gelato, and vegan ice cream, including seasonal flavors like sweet corn or pumpkin.

From Eater

The fetching “chowda” packs in fistfuls of clams whose shells collect smoked bacon, grilled sweet corn, diced potato, crisp scallions and hot cream.

From Washington Post

Instead of getting a flu jab, you could munch on an ear of fresh, sweet corn.

From Singularity Hub 

Another first course, ricotta dumplings, were dense and pasty when I tried them, although a shower of sweet corn, Pecorino cheese and chanterelles did their best to distract the tongue.

From Washington Post

The summer is when the Amish sell sweet corn, and when the berry farms open their orchards.

From Eater

If you like sweet corn, or presidential politics, this is a good time to be in the heartland.

From The Daily Beast

And of course we have also now generously introduced super-sweet corn to the Mexicans.

From The Daily Beast

Chicken, Sweet Corn, and Red Pepper Crêpesby Lou Seibert Pappas These crêpes have a lot going on.

From The Daily Beast

The tribes of the upper Missouri River had flint corn, flour corn and sweet corn.

From Project Gutenberg

Select tender juicy sweet corn, at the best stage for table use and can as soon as possible after gathering.

From Project Gutenberg

This is used quite extensively as a sweetening agent in canned sweet corn, and other similar products.

From Project Gutenberg

In the souring of canned sweet corn, it is exceptional that the ends are forced outward.

From Project Gutenberg

Many varieties of sweet corn are used, but some are better in quality than others.

From Project Gutenberg