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.

---

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

Example Sentences

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

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

The corn hits first, a gentle, buttery sweetness that plays against the cornmeal’s subtle grit, while the cheddar melts into pockets of gooey tang.

From Salon

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

The air smelled faintly like burnt cornmeal and panic.

From Salon