# maize

/ˈmeɪz/ (US) · /mˈeɪz/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/maize
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a tall plant that grows large yellow seeds on a cob. Most people in the US call this plant corn.

For teachers: a tall cereal plant that produces large grains, or kernels, set in rows on a cob. Often used in technical, agricultural, or international contexts to distinguish it from other cereal crops.

## Examples

- Farmers in this region grow maize to feed their cattle.
- The local economy depends heavily on the maize harvest, which provides both food and fuel for the community.
- Genetic evidence suggests that maize was domesticated from a wild grass in central Mexico several thousand years ago, eventually becoming a staple crop across the Americas.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the crop or the grain in bulk; can be countable in botanical contexts when referring to specific varieties.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.