core

noun (1), often attributive

\ ˈkȯr

Definition of core

(Entry 1 of 4)

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

c : 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

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

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

f(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

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

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

i : the conducting wire with its insulation in an electric cable

2a : 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

verb

cored; coring

Definition of core (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

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

core

noun (2)

Definition of core (Entry 3 of 4)

chiefly Scotland

: a group of people

CORE

abbreviation

\ ˈkȯr

Definition of CORE (Entry 4 of 4)

Congress of Racial Equality

Other Words from core Synonyms Distinguishing Between Core and Corps and Corpse and Corp Learn More about core

Keep scrolling for more

Distinguishing Between Core and Corps and Corpse and Corp

Core and corps sound identical but are distinct words with distinct meanings. Core is most familiar used as a noun referring 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.” 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.