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

Luna Morada incorporates a mix of purple maize, wormwood, milk thistle and warming spices such as cinnamon and clove. —Rachel King, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024

Flour is a fine powder made from grinding down grains, typically wheat, but can be made from any dry grain including maize, rice, barley, rye, and oats. —Perri Ormont Blumberg, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2024

There’s vegan custard in cups and creamy custard sandwiched between macarons with flecks of maize and blue. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 13 Aug. 2024

His family wasn’t expected to fast; instead, he was given sacks of maize during the harvest and paid a stipend of roughly seventeen dollars every two months. —Alexis Okeowo, The New Yorker, 19 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