sweet corn

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.

sweet corn

noun

1. Also calledsugar corngreen 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sweet corn¹

An Americanism dating back to 1640–50

Example Sentences

It features a false corn garnish made from leftover sweet corn scraps.

From Salon

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

Nearby, groups of soldiers gathered around portable camping stoves, boiling sweet corn and carrots, chatting and joking.

From Seattle Times

Surplus cherries, pears and apples from the orchard are destined for her homemade jams and jellies; extra ears of sweet corn are dried and ground into masa for tortillas and tamales.

From Salon

Luckily, a lighter solution lies in peak season for sweet corn, whose high starch content can create a creamy sauce without having to resort to using cream.

From Washington Times