maize

noun

ˈmāz 

: a tall annual cereal grass (Zea mays) originally domesticated in Mexico and widely grown for its large elongated ears of starchy seeds : corn entry 1 sense 4

Along with maize, their main food, the ancient Maya planted squash, beans, peppers, cacao, and other plants, all of which they used for food or medicinal purposes.

—Evelyn Dana Feld

But evidence has been elusive, because the standard macrofossils—say, squash rinds or maize kernels—quickly rot in the sultry climate.

—Kathryn Brown

Examples of maize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Velazquez’s maize and blue gear is boxed up — a safe middle ground between hanging shirts in his closet and disposing of them. —Matt Baker, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025

Isotopic analysis indicated that most individuals had diets rich in maize and marine animal protein, and likely spent their childhoods in or near the Chicama Valley. —George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024

At Ohio State, police used pepper spray on students in an effort to defuse a brawl that started after Michigan players planted a maize and blue M flag at midfield following their upset of the Buckeyes. —Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 1 Dec. 2024

The maize maze About 9,000 years ago, maize was first domesticated by Indigenous peoples in the Mexican lowlands. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish maíz, from Taino mahiz

First Known Use

circa 1544, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

maize

noun

ˈmāz 

1

: corn entry 1 sense 1

2

corn entry 1 sense 2

3

corn entry 1 sense 3