sweet corn

American  

noun

1. any of several varieties of corn, especially Zea mays rugosa, the grain or kernels of which are sweet and suitable for eating.

2. Chiefly Northern, North Midland, and Western U.S. the young and tender ears of corn, especially when used as a table vegetable.

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sweet corn British  

noun

1. Also called: sugar corn.   green corn.  a variety of maize, Zea mays saccharata, whose kernels are rich in sugar and eaten as a vegetable when young

2. the unripe ears of maize, esp the sweet kernels removed from the cob, cooked as a vegetable

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Etymology

Origin of sweet corn

An Americanism dating back to 1640–50

Compare meaning

How does sweet-corn compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• field corn vs. sweet corn

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sweet corn

Jason Turek, a fourth-generation grower of sweet corn in New York state, has watched his freight cost per shipment jump from $4,000 last year to roughly $6,600 this year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 10, 2026

Picture a burrito bowl layered in reds and greens: cabbage slaw, sweet corn, charred bell peppers, red onion, shredded lettuce, jalapeños.

From Salon ● Feb. 18, 2026

There, Sesa said, Prevost ate whatever was offered to him, including the peasant diet consisting of potatoes, cheese and sweet corn.

From BBC ● May 9, 2025

Datasembly measured prices for russet potatoes, roasted turkey gravy, eight buttermilk biscuits, cut green beans, jellied cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie mix, frozen pastry pie shells, whipped topping and sweet corn.

From Washington Times ● Nov. 15, 2023

He gathered mounds of fried potatoes, canned sweet corn, and Spam with Nali’s fresh tortillas.

From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young