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# kernel

noun (a kernel, kernels)

«kernel» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A kernel is the soft part inside a nut or the seed inside the hard stone of a fruit. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/kernel/#m1)
2. A kernel is a whole seed of a grain such as corn (maize) or wheat: popcorn is made of corn kernels. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/kernel/#m2)
3. The kernel of something is its most important central part: «a kernel of truth». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/kernel/#m3)
4. (computing) The kernel is the core part of a computer's operating system that controls everything else. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/kernel/#m4)

### In the lessons

In science lessons about seeds, a kernel is the part that can grow into a new plant and stores food. In cooking, popcorn kernels pop when heated because the water inside turns to steam. In stories and arguments, «a kernel of truth» means a small true part inside a mostly false story. Phrases: «corn kernels», «popcorn kernels», «a kernel of truth».

### Examples

- Popcorn kernels pop when you heat them. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/kernel/#x1)
- Squirrels crack hazelnuts to eat the kernel. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/kernel/#x2)
- Each corn cob has hundreds of kernels. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/kernel/#x3)
- The rumour had a kernel of truth in it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/kernel/#x4)
- Wheat kernels are ground into flour. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/kernel/#x5)
- Some kernels did not pop and stayed hard at the bottom of the bowl. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/kernel/#x6)
- The computer's kernel controls the memory and the screen. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/kernel/#x7)
- They soon gathered some, cracked them, and ate the fine young kernels, which were only just ripe. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/kernel/#x8)

### Note

Plural «kernels». Homophone trap: «kernel» sounds the same as «colonel» (an army officer), spelled very differently.

## In Jewish tradition

In science lessons about seeds, a kernel is the part that can grow into a new plant and stores food. In cooking, popcorn kernels pop when heated because the water inside turns to steam. In stories and arguments, «a kernel of truth» means a small true part inside a mostly false story. Phrases: «corn kernels», «popcorn kernels», «a kernel of truth».

### Note

Plural «kernels». Homophone trap: «kernel» sounds the same as «colonel» (an army officer), spelled very differently.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «kernel» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/kernel/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«kernel» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/kernel.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «kernel» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/kernel/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«kernel» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/kernel.html) on Mova free.