corm

noun

ˈkȯrm 

: a rounded thick modified underground stem base bearing membranous or scaly leaves and buds and acting as a vegetative reproductive structure compare bulb, tuber

Examples of corm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Related Gladiolus Gladiolus can be left in the garden through winter in Zones 8–11, but gladiolus corms need to be overwintered indoors in colder areas. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2026

Planting gladiolus corms in August gives gardeners a late October or early November bloom time. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 31 July 2026

Native to the rainforests of western Sumatra, Indonesia, the endangered Titan Arum grows from a large corm, a bulb-like tuber underground. — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 13 July 2026

When planting gladioli, Kemery recommends placing the corms 4 to 6 inches deep with the pointed end facing up, once the soil has warmed. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin cormus, borrowed from Greek kormós "tree trunk after removal of the boughs," from kor-, o-grade derivative from the base of keírein "to cut off, shave" + -mos, resultative noun suffix — more at shear entry 1

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for corm

• dorm
• form
• forme
• norm
• storm
• swarm
• warm
• brainstorm
• conform
• deform
• firestorm
• hailstorm

Kids Definition

corm

noun

ˈkȯrm 

: a solid underground part of a stem (as of the crocus) that is shaped like a bulb compare bulb sense 1a, tuber sense 1

Medical Definition

corm

noun

ˈkȯ(ə)rm 

: a rounded thick modified underground stem base bearing membranous or scaly leaves and buds and acting as a vegetative reproductive structure