as in root
the central part or aspect of something under consideration
the kernel of your argument seems to be the inevitability of human migration into space
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of kernel
Popcorn is divided into white (with white to pale yellow kernels) and yellow (with yellow to orange to multi-colored kernels) varieties.
—
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 12 July 2025
That corn, with bright red kernels that could be mistaken for pomegranate seeds, are what High Wire Distilling decided to use to make their signature bourbon.
—Don Tse, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Corn almost always attracts pests such as: Corn earworm larvae feed on the tassels, silks, and kernels often near the tip of a corn ear.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 31 July 2025
Even popular alternatives like sourdough or rye usually don’t measure up to whole wheat bread unless they’re made from whole kernels.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for kernel
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 12 July 2025
That corn, with bright red kernels that could be mistaken for pomegranate seeds, are what High Wire Distilling decided to use to make their signature bourbon.
—Don Tse, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Corn almost always attracts pests such as: Corn earworm larvae feed on the tassels, silks, and kernels often near the tip of a corn ear.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 31 July 2025
Even popular alternatives like sourdough or rye usually don’t measure up to whole wheat bread unless they’re made from whole kernels.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for kernel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kernel
Noun
-
Some of those included nominations in the country and American roots categories for the first time.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Here's everything to know about the event, including this year's theme, schedule and a brief history of its Cincinnati roots.—
Grace Tucker,
The Enquirer,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
At the core of this leadership practice lies coaching—not the performance-review archetype, but deep, generative coaching that shifts mindsets, surfaces mental models and anchors purpose in action.—
Thomas Lim,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
And if the core problem here is that matches will be taken away from clubs’ traditional locations — and more pertinently, their traditional fans — that is on the clubs themselves and, in the case of Villarreal versus Barcelona, the Spanish federation.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Overall, the performances from these past two days captured the essence of breaking about as well as possible given the context.—
Jason Pu,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
-
In essence, the proposals involve Kyiv surrendering territory in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, in exchange for a ceasefire, an idea the Ukrainian leadership has firmly ruled out.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
People have had public debates about the proper approach to safeguarding health since before modern medicine, but RFK is not a fringe academic or internet poster who can argue to his heart’s content without actually hurting anyone.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Their ability to identify, nurture and break independent artists with authenticity and heart is truly exceptional.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kernel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kernel. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share