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

“You can achieve a gorgeous slightly umami and sweet flavor by blending steamed or canned sweet corn kernels with oat milk and straining it,” she explains.

From Salon ● Jan. 17, 2026

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

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

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

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 4, 2023

There’s sugar beets and sweet corn and green peas.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline