seed corn

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noun

ears or kernels of corn set apart as seed.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of seed corn

First recorded in 1585–95

Words nearby seed corn

seed capital, seed capsule, seedcase, seed coat, seed coral, seed corn, seedeater, seeder, seed fern, seed leaf, seedless plant

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use seed corn in a sentence

I don’t want us to lose the seed corn that was so successful on my behalf.
Eric Schmidt Thinks This Is The Best Age To Start Measuring Excellence|Eben Shapiro|November 29, 2020|Time
Are we still investing that way, or have we eaten the seed corn?
Relax, Robots Won’t Take Every Job: ‘The Second Machine Age’|Scott Timberg|March 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
My childhood jobs were detassling seed corn and working at a lumberyard.
Yes, Kids Need 'Shitty' Jobs|Justin Green|January 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They were all fashioned and painted as correct models, and were provided with their national songs and with seed-corn.
Myth, Ritual, and Religion, Vol. 1|Andrew Lang

If you will help me, I'll give you a peck of that Golden Bantam seed corn you like so much the next time you are in town.'
Billy Whiskers' Adventures|Frances Trego Montgomery
Much of the corn is already too hard for the table, and some of the ears can be selected which are ripe enough for seed corn.
Summary Narrative of an Exploratory Expedition to the Sources of the Mississippi River, in 1820|Henry Rowe Schoolcraft
Now they needed staple provisions, a few farming tools, a breaking-plough, and some seed corn.
The Boy Settlers|Noah Brooks
One peck of gourd-seed corn is to be measured out to each slave once every week.
The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Part 3 of 4|American Anti-Slavery Society

British Dictionary definitions for seed corn

seed corn

noun

the good quality ears or kernels of corn that are used as seed

assets or investments that are expected to provide profits in the future

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