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
William Shakespeare2
: 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
S. M. Lyman4
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
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
As the exploit targets core Linux kernel USB drivers, the impact is not limited to a particular device or vendor and could affect a very wide range of devices.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 28 Feb. 2025
But that kernel of an idea saved Suits from becoming a forgettable case-of-the-week procedural.
—Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 23 Feb. 2025
Colin Jost’s joke about COVID spreading at the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special on Feb. 16 might have had a kernel of truth to it, after Steve Martin’s latest Instagram post.
—Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 21 Feb. 2025
The corn kernels and 21-pronged gear that form our state flower, the violet, represent the agricultural and industrial foundations of our state and its status as the 21st state admitted to the Union.
—Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kernel
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Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 28 Feb. 2025
But that kernel of an idea saved Suits from becoming a forgettable case-of-the-week procedural.
—Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 23 Feb. 2025
Colin Jost’s joke about COVID spreading at the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special on Feb. 16 might have had a kernel of truth to it, after Steve Martin’s latest Instagram post.
—Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 21 Feb. 2025
The corn kernels and 21-pronged gear that form our state flower, the violet, represent the agricultural and industrial foundations of our state and its status as the 21st state admitted to the Union.
—Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kernel
Articles Related to kernel
Cite this Entry
“Kernel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kernel. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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