Definition

1. Noun:

   • The central or most important part of something: The "core" is the fundamental, essential, or central part of an object, system, idea, or group.
   • The central part of a celestial body: In geology and astronomy, "core" often refers to the dense, central region of a planet or star, such as the Earth's core.
   • A cylindrical sample: A "core" can be a cylindrical section of material, like soil or rock, obtained by drilling.
   • A small, essential group: A "core" is a central group of indispensable people or things within a larger organization or set.

2. Verb:

   • To remove the central part: To "core" something means to remove its central, often inedible, part, such as the seeds and tough center from a fruit.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The core of the argument was about economic policy. (The most essential part of the argument concerned economic policy.)
  • The Earth has a solid inner core and a liquid outer core. (The central part of our planet consists of these layers.)
  • Scientists analyzed a sediment core from the lake bed. (Scientists studied a cylindrical sample of sediment.)
  • A core of dedicated volunteers runs the charity. (A small, essential group of volunteers manages it.)

• Verb:

  • Please core the apples before baking the pie. (Please remove the central seeds and tough part from the apples.)

Advanced Usage

• "To the core": Completely, thoroughly (often describing a fundamental quality).

  • He is a conservative to his core. (His fundamental beliefs are entirely conservative.)
  • The organization was rotten to the core. (It was thoroughly corrupt.)

• "Hard core" / "Hardcore": The most intensely committed, dedicated, or uncompromising part of a group; or something that is extremely explicit, intense, or difficult.

  • The hard core of the party resisted any change. (The most uncompromising members opposed change.)
  • She's into hardcore punk music. (She likes a very intense, aggressive style of punk music.)

Variants and Related Words

• Core (adjective): Central, fundamental, most important.

  • The company outlined its core values. (The company defined its fundamental principles.)
  • English, math, and science are core subjects. (They are central, mandatory subjects.)

• Core curriculum: The central, required courses in an educational program.

• Core competency: A fundamental strength or capability of a person or organization.

Synonyms

• Noun: Heart, center, essence, nucleus, crux, gist, kernel, bedrock, foundation.
• Verb: Hollow out, remove the center.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

• Core out: To remove the inner part of something, creating a hollow space. (Similar to the verb "core").
  • They cored out the log to make a canoe. (They removed the inner wood from the log.)

Related Idioms

• The core of the matter: The most important or central part of an issue.

  • Let's stop discussing details and get to the core of the matter. (Let's address the most essential point.)

• At the core of: Being the central cause or most important element of something.

  • Trust is at the core of any strong relationship. (Trust is the fundamental element.)

Noun

1. a bar of magnetic material (as soft iron) that passes through a coil and serves to increase the inductance of the coil
2. the chamber of a nuclear reactor containing the fissile material where the reaction takes place
3. (computer science) a tiny ferrite toroid formerly used in a random access memory to store one bit of data; now superseded by semiconductor memories
   • each core has three wires passing through it, providing the means to select and detect the contents of each bit
4. the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
5. an organization founded by James Leonard Farmer in 1942 to work for racial equality
6. a cylindrical sample of soil or rock obtained with a hollow drill
7. the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
   • the gist of the prosecutor's argument
   • the heart and soul of the Republican Party
   • the nub of the story
8. the central part of the Earth
9. the center of an object
   • the ball has a titanium core
10. a small group of indispensable persons or things
    • five periodicals make up the core of their publishing program

Verb

1. remove the core or center from
   • core an apple