core

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈkȯr 

plural cores

often attributive

1

: a central and often foundational part usually distinct from the enveloping part by a difference in nature

the core of the city

: such as

a

: the usually inedible central part of some fruits (such as a pineapple)

especially : the papery or leathery carpels composing the ripened ovary in a pome fruit (such as an apple)

b

: the muscles of the mid-region of the torso

Your core is composed of the muscles that stabilize and move your pelvis, lower back, hips, and trunk.

—Adele Jackson-Gibson

core muscles/strength

core exercises

c

: the place in a nuclear reactor where fission (see fission entry 1 sense 3) occurs

d

: an arrangement of a course of studies that combines under basic topics material from subjects conventionally separated and aims to provide a common background for all students

core curriculum

e

: the portion of a foundry mold that shapes the interior of a hollow casting

f

: a vertical space (as for elevator shafts, stairways, or plumbing apparatus) in a multistory building

g(1)

: a computer memory consisting of an array of cores strung on fine wires

broadly : the internal memory of a computer

(2)

: a tiny doughnut-shaped piece of magnetic material (such as ferrite) used in computer memories

(3)

: a mass of iron serving to concentrate and intensify the magnetic field resulting from a current in a surrounding coil

h

: the central part of a celestial body (such as the earth or sun) usually having different physical properties from the surrounding parts

i

: a nodule of stone (such as flint or obsidian) from which flakes have been struck for making implements

j

: the conducting wire with its insulation in an electric cable

2

a

: a basic, essential, or enduring part (as of an individual, a class, or an entity)

the staff had a core of experts

the core of her beliefs

b

: the essential meaning : gist

the core of the argument

c

: the inmost or most intimate part

honest to the core

3

: a part (such as a thin cylinder of material) removed from the interior of a mass especially to determine composition

core

2 of 4

verb

cored; coring

transitive verb

: to remove a core (see core entry 1 sense 1a) from

core an apple

corer noun

core

3 of 4

noun (2)

chiefly Scotland

: a group of people

CORE

4 of 4

abbreviation

ˈkȯr 

Congress of Racial Equality

Did you know?

Distinguishing Between Core and Corps and Corpse and Corp

These words are frequently confused despite their very different applications. Core and corps both rhyme with more. Core can be a noun, verb, or adjective, but is most often used as a noun to refer to the central or most important part of something (“the core of the issue,” “the Earth’s core”) or to the usually inedible central part of a fruit (“an apple core”). Corps has several meanings, all of which refer to some kind of group: “the Marine Corps,” “the press corps.” Its plural form is also spelled corps (“two corps of reporters”) but is pronounced just as cores is. Unlike in corps, The “p” in corpse and corp is pronounced. Corpse refers to a dead body, and especially to the dead body of a human. Corp is an abbreviation for “corporation” and “corporal.” Corp, corps, and corpse all trace back to the Latin word corpus, meaning “body.” The origin of core is obscure.

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• belly
• blood
• bone(s)
• bosom
• breast
• gut
• heart
• heartstrings
• inner space
• inside
• quick
• soul

Examples of core in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Cut each orange into 3 pieces by slicing from the sides toward the core and remove the pith at the center. —Gisela Williams, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024

However, maintaining integrity, continuity and a brand’s core values can often transform potential disasters into opportunities for reinforcement of existing client trust and even growth. —Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2024

Fernanda is a scholar who upholds our core values and is a role model for others in her class. —Joe Mutascio, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Apr. 2024

Elijah Craig is made at Kentucky’s Heaven Hill Distillery, and while the core expression is a dependable and affordable bourbon, this more premium barrel-proof version is worth adding to your bar cart. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2024

He’s also shed the security unit for $5 billion to focus where profitability is highest, in the core heating and refrigeration businesses. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2024

Yes, The Mary Tyler Moore Show has had a massive cultural impact, from its feminist core to its adult themes to its influence on every sitcom that followed. —Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2024

On a monthly basis, the core PPI slowed in line with expectations to 0.2% from 0.3%. —Krystal Hur, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024

In 50 years, according to St. Tammany Parish’s own planning documents, the region encircling Slidell could often be under 6 to 15 feet of water, except for the core protected by a levee. —Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2024

Verb

Using a melon baller or small paring knife, remove strawberry cores and hollow out insides of strawberries. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2024

The film — starring Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry and Dan Stevens — succeeding in appealing to core fans and in luring new, younger generations. —Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Apr. 2024

Where the 7 Gen 3 has three performance cores at 2.40GHz, the 7+ has four at 2.60GHz. —Sarah Lord, PCMAG, 21 Mar. 2024

For example, the number of AI cores on the chip has significantly leveled off, as has the amount of memory and the internal bandwidth. —IEEE Spectrum, 13 Mar. 2024

Use these simple instructions: Peel and core an apple, then cut it in half horizontally. —Kimberly Stoney, Parents, 21 Mar. 2024

Workers are stripping off brick, punching windows, and coring out two giant vertical doughnut holes to make a pair of central courts that will funnel light and air down into the building’s dark heart. —Curbed, 24 Jan. 2024

Internal turbulence causes the gas to become compressed, which quickly leads to the formation of filaments and then cores. —Nia Imara, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2024

Tippett s cored on a power play for his 21st with 1:37 left in the second but Hischier tallied his 18th early in the third for a 5-2 lead. —Tom Canavan, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, of obscure origin

Verb

Middle English coren, derivative of core core entry 1

Noun (2)

perhaps by respelling of Middle English chore "chorus, company," borrowed from Latin chorus — more at chorus entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1622, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing core

• core city
• core competencies
• core inflation
• hard core
• rotten to the core
• shaken to the core
• soft-core
• to the core

Kids Definition

core

1 of 2 noun

ˈkō(ə)r 

ˈkȯ(ə)r

1

: a central or most important part

2

: the usually inedible central part of some fruits (as a pineapple or apple)

3

: a part removed from the interior of a mass especially to find out the interior composition or a hidden condition

took a core of rock

4

a

: a mass of iron used to concentrate and strengthen the magnetic field resulting from a current in a surrounding coil

b

: the memory of a computer

5

: the central part of the earth having different properties from those of the surrounding parts

also : the central part of a heavenly body

6

: an arrangement of studies that brings together material from subjects that are usually taught separately

7

: the place in a nuclear reactor where fission takes place

core

2 of 2 verb

cored; coring

: to remove a core from

core an apple

corer noun

Medical Definition

core

noun

ˈkō(ə)r, ˈkȯ(ə)r 

: the central part of a body, mass, or part