kernel

American  

[kur-nl] / ˈkɜr nl /

noun

• kernels
  plural

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.

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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

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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.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• kernel-less
  adjective
• kernelless
  adjective
• kernelly
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• kernels
  plural

Etymology

Origin of kernel

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

Explanation

Whether it’s the kernel of a pistachio nut or the kernel of wisdom in a story, kernel can refer to the center or essential part of something. The word kernel traces back to the Old English word cyrnel, which is related to corn. If you have ever eaten corn on the cob, you ate the kernels. Popcorn is made by heating corn kernels until they explode, or "pop." Like these examples, sometimes kernel means "a small bit" or "single piece," as in a story someone tells you that couldn't possibly have happened as described, but still has a kernel of truth about human nature.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

kernel kernels kerneled kernelled

The kernel of the drama—unfortunately kernel is probably the right term—is Frederick’s demand, or more gently put, his invitation, that Bach create a three-part fugue on a theme the king composed.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

“There’s usually a kernel of truth,” he said.

From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026

So both of them have a kernel of truth, but none of it is the full truth.

From Barron's ● Jun. 25, 2026

Is there any kernel of truth to anything she’s saying?

From Slate ● Feb. 27, 2026

There may have been a kernel of truth to his charge.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

Elsewhere, chain gelato brand Snowflake makes a sweetcorn-flavoured "Snow Cob", while more mainstream, high-end supermarkets and chocolate brands are selling corn kernels covered in chocolate.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

There are also mini Bowser cauldrons capable of holding five to 11 kernels of popcorn.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 6, 2026

Some chains are testing organic kernels, lower-salt offerings and alternative cooking oils.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 13, 2026

“I want the theatre to be an anchor,” Brekke tells me as she pours kernels and oil into the popcorn machine that’s been here since the Mayer first opened in 1949.

From Salon ● Dec. 18, 2025

A clerk shoved in a measure of kernels and the corn whirled inside the case like giant flakes of snow.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers

Time was the great millstone, which ground us to dust like kerneled wheat.

From "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" by Avi

The sun was just setting when the captain and Chris reappeared bearing gourds full of smoking fish, and sweet sugary yams, and ears of curious small kernelled Indian corn.

From The Boy Chums in the Forest or Hunting for Plume Birds in the Florida Everglades by J. Watson Davis

Related Words

• fruit
• grain
• meat
• morsel
• nut