kernel

American  

[kur-nl] / ˈkɜr 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)

kerneled, kerneling, kernelled, kernelling

1. to enclose as a kernel.

kernel British  

/ 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 Scientific  

/ 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.

---

Other Word Forms

• kernel-less adjective
• kernelless adjective
• kernelly adjective

Etymology

Origin of kernel

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

Example Sentences

Implicit in the articles is the sense that there may be a kernel of something good in a society that enables individuals to rise above oppression.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

There is no kernel of truth here: The claims of wrongdoing are fabricated from top to bottom.

From Slate • Jan. 12, 2026

Call it a kernel of hope to hold onto as we turn the page.

From Salon • Dec. 17, 2025

Rhys: You know what’s funny, talk about the absolute kernel and beginning of those people under the spotlight.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 13, 2025

A few moments later an unlikely kernel of warmth ignited in her stomach, as if the icy water had activated some secret reserve of energy within her body.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld

Related Words

• fruit
• grain
• meat
• morsel
• nut