Definition

Noun: * A type of maize (corn) plant cultivated specifically for its young, sweet kernels, which are harvested and eaten as a vegetable. This term refers to the plant itself, which produces ears of sweet corn.

Usage Notes

• "Sugar corn" is a less common synonym for the more widely used term sweet corn. It directly describes the plant () grown in gardens and farms.
• It is distinguished from field corn (or dent corn), which is grown primarily for animal feed, cornmeal, or industrial uses, as it has a higher sugar content when immature.

Examples

• The farmer planted a row of sugar corn in his vegetable patch.
• Sugar corn is ready to harvest when the kernels are plump and release a milky juice when punctured.
• We grew several varieties of sugar corn this summer, including 'Silver Queen' and 'Honey Select'.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used in agricultural or botanical contexts to specify the type of corn plant being discussed.
  • The study compared the drought resistance of sugar corn to that of field corn varieties.

Variants and Related Words

• Sweet corn (n): The most common term for both the plant and its edible product.
• Corn on the cob (n): Refers specifically to the harvested ear of sweet corn, often boiled or grilled and eaten directly from the cob.
• Maize (n): The general term for the cereal plant , which includes sweet corn, field corn, and popcorn.

Synonyms

• Sweet corn
• Green corn (when referring to the fresh, harvested ears)
• Table corn

Antonyms / Contrasting Terms

• Field corn (n): Corn grown for grain, animal feed, or processing.
• Dent corn (n): A major type of field corn, named for the dent in the top of the kernel.
• Flint corn (n): A hard-kerneled corn often used for decoration or cornmeal.

Noun

1. a corn plant developed in order to have young ears that are sweet and suitable for eating