kerning

[ kur-ning ]
/ ˈkɜr nɪŋ /

noun Printing.

the setting of two letters closer together than is usual by removing space between them.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU FEEL THE WEAL WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ?

Did you collect all of last week’s words, but eftsoons forget what they mean? Don’t worry, we’re here to jog your memory. See how many words from the week of May 18 to 24 you can get right!
Question 1 of 7
weal
well-being, prosperity, or happiness.
the intervening time.
a somewhat prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of kerning

First recorded in 1675–85; kern2 + -ing1

Words nearby kerning

kernel, kernel sentence, kernel smut, kernicterus, kernig's sign, kerning, kernite, kernmantel rope, kernos, kero, kerogen

Definition for kerning (2 of 4)

kern1
[ kurn ]
/ kɜrn /
Printing.

noun

a part of the face of a type projecting beyond the body or shank, as in certain italic letters.

verb (used with object)

to form or furnish with a kern, as a type or letter.
to remove a portion of space between (adjacent letters) in preparation for printing.

Origin of kern

1
1675–85; < French carne corner of type ≪ Latin cardin- (stem of cardō) hinge

Definition for kerning (3 of 4)

kern4
[ kurn ]
/ kɜrn /
British Dialect

verb (used without object)

(of a tree or plant) to produce or form kernels, hard grain, or seed.

verb (used with object)

to cause to granulate, especially to granulate salt.
to cover with crystalline grains of salt; salt (meat).

noun

Obsolete. a kernel, as of a nut; a grain, as of sand or wheat.

Origin of kern

4
1275–1325; Middle English kirnen, kerne (v.); akin to kirnelen to develop into seed; see kernel

Definition for kerning (4 of 4)

kern5
[ kurn ]
/ kɜrn /

verb (used with or without object), noun Scot. and North England.

churn.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for kerning

British Dictionary definitions for kerning (1 of 5)

kerning
/ (ˈkɜːnɪŋ) /

noun

printing the adjustment of space between the letters of words to improve the appearance of text matter

British Dictionary definitions for kerning (2 of 5)

kern1

kerne

/ (kɜːn) /

noun

the part of the character on a piece of printer's type that projects beyond the body

verb

(tr) to furnish (a typeface) with a kern

Word Origin for kern

C17: from French carne corner of type, projecting angle, ultimately from Latin cardō hinge

British Dictionary definitions for kerning (3 of 5)

kern2
/ (kɜːn) /

noun

a lightly armed foot soldier in medieval Ireland or Scotland
a troop of such soldiers
archaic a loutish peasant

Word Origin for kern

C14: from Middle Irish cethern band of foot soldiers, from cath battle

British Dictionary definitions for kerning (4 of 5)

kern3
/ (kɜːn) /

noun

engineering the central area of a wall, column, etc, through which all compressive forces pass

Word Origin for kern

from German Kern core, heart

British Dictionary definitions for kerning (5 of 5)

Kern
/ (kɜːn) /

noun

Jerome (David). 1885–1945, US composer of musical comedies, esp Show Boat (1927)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012