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

Her show at Hauser & Wirth in Chelsea is a body of work made in response to this bewildering kernel of human-and-galactic history. —Zoë Hopkins, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025

Late November meant harvest season on the reservation, and the driver offloaded yellow corn kernels, gathered from the nearby fields, into the grain silos before pulling his big rig away. —Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, The Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2024

But if there are kernels of the old Gi-hun in there, Season 2 might bring them to the surface. —Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 24 Dec. 2024

As with all the most effective misinformation, it was built on kernels of truth. —Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025

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