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
Synonyms
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 with all the most effective misinformation, it was built on kernels of truth.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
And while Missing You is just a fictional drama based on a novel, it’s still based on some kernel of truth.
—Marah Eakin, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2025
She’s just found some kernel of strength and integrity.
—Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Dec. 2024
Spies recognize that nearly all humans, regardless of their flaws, possess at least one redeeming quality—some kernel of humanity a spy can focus on.
—Jeremy Hurewitz, TIME, 21 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kernel 
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Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
And while Missing You is just a fictional drama based on a novel, it’s still based on some kernel of truth.
—Marah Eakin, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2025
She’s just found some kernel of strength and integrity.
—Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Dec. 2024
Spies recognize that nearly all humans, regardless of their flaws, possess at least one redeeming quality—some kernel of humanity a spy can focus on.
—Jeremy Hurewitz, TIME, 21 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kernel
Articles Related to kernel
Dictionary Entries Near kernel
Cite this Entry
“Kernel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kernel. Accessed 18 Jan. 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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