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

The rest of the meal, fully prepared and frozen, includes mashed potatoes, gravy, macaroni and cheese, sweet corn, green-bean casserole, stuffing, cranberry relish, dinner rolls, a pumpkin pie and an apple cobbler.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 15, 2025

Squash is the standout in this chowder, which is surprising because it is paired with freshly shucked, cut from the cob, absolutely divine, sweet corn.

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2025

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

The sauce holds onto its deep, tomato flavor, and the toppings — from sweet corn and shishitos in the summer to fennel-y Italian sausage in the winter — are bursting with flavor.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 28, 2023

Mix black mountain dirt some sweet corn flour and a little water.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko