kernel

noun

ker·​nel ˈkər-nᵊl 

1

: the inner softer part of a seed, fruit stone, or nut

… as brown in hue as hazelnuts, and sweeter than the kernels.

—William Shakespeare

2

: a whole seed of a cereal

a kernel of corn

3

: a central or essential part : germ

like many stereotypes … this one too contains some kernels of truth

—S. M. Lyman

4

chiefly dialectal : a fruit seed

5

mathematics : a subset of the elements of one set (such as a group) that a function (such as a homomorphism) maps onto an identity element of another set

Synonyms

• bottom line
• bull's-eye
• centerpiece
• core
• crux
• essence
• gist
• heart
• keynote
• meat
• meat and potatoes
• net
• nub
• nubbin
• nucleus
• pith
• pivot
• point
• root
• sum

Examples of kernel in a Sentence

There's not a kernel of truth in what they say.

the kernel of your argument seems to be the inevitability of human migration into space

Recent Examples on the Web

Harvesting too early on immature beds also affects the maturation of the rice kernels over time, officials said. —Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2024

With unified signals from both the program and the underlying infrastructure, the SRE can track error rates by kernel version to ensure the roll-out doesn’t impact end applications. —Tom Wilkie, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

For this purpose, a kernel density estimation was applied to the study blocks, the results of which are consistent with the densities recorded in other Mayan archeological sites such as Oxpemul and Becan. —Anna Lagos, WIRED, 30 Oct. 2024

Cut kernels from cobs, keeping ribs of kernels intact as much as possible to yield about 2 cups. —Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 14 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English cyrnel, diminutive of corn

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing kernel

• pine kernel

Kids Definition

kernel

noun

ker·​nel ˈkərn-ᵊl 

1

a

: the inner softer part of a seed, fruit stone, or nut

b

: a whole grain or seed of a cereal (as wheat or corn)

2

: a central or basic part

a kernel of truth in what they say